# Apologies for cross posting #

Please see information below for a series of workshops on the DIUS
consultation

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Invitation to participate in the DIUS Single Equality Scheme
Consultation Workshops

The creation of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
(DIUS) brings together three closely-linked strands of policy that are
critical to determining Britain's future economic and social wellbeing.
Britain can only succeed in a changing world if we develop our skills to
the fullest possible extent, carry out world-class research, and apply
knowledge to create innovative products, services and companies. 

To achieve these goals, we need to unlock the talents of people from all
backgrounds and communities. Our commitment to equality and diversity is
therefore essential to ensuring that we are able to deliver the
Department's wider goals and objectives. 

To develop and deliver this commitment, we have produced a draft Single
Equality Scheme for consultation. This document sets out the way that we
want to embed equality and diversity into our work as an employer; as a
policy making department and as a sponsor of other organisations. We
also want to exploit the best practice that exists across the sectors
that we work with and to ensure that we learn from each other. 

We want to know what you think. The Single Equality Scheme has been
produced as a consultation document. You can download it, and comment on
it, by: responding to the consultation in writing until Monday 4 August
2008; or provide feedback through the DIUS website by using this weblink
www.dius.gov.uk/consultations/con_120508_equality.html. To help us to
get as much feedback as possible, we are also running a series of
Consultation Workshops which will take place on:

Tuesday 17 June 2008              Peepul Centre, Leicester 
Monday 23 June 2008               Dana Centre, The Science Museum,
London 
Tuesday 24 June 2008              Bristol University, Bristol 
Friday 27 June 2008               Museum of Science and Industry,
Manchester 

These events will enable you to feed in your views and thoughts on the
Single Equality Scheme. We will also be looking for your comments in
relation to the expectations the Single Equality Scheme places on your
sector. This may be in your role as an employer, a service provider with
science, innovation, learning or skills or agencies supporting the
rights of people and groups who have been traditionally underrepresented
in these sectors.

To attend, please register online at www.pauljamesassociates.co.uk using
conference code: 527298 and password: ses. Please indicate which event
you would like to attend by ticking the relevant box on the form.
Alternatively, you can email your details to the organisers at
[log in to unmask] Please respond as soon as possible, but
no later than Friday 6 June 2008. Please note that places at the events
are limited and registrations will be dealt with on a first come, first
served basis.

Joining instructions, including an outline programme and location map
will be sent to you after the closing date. In the meantime, should you
have any queries or require any further information about the events,
please telephone the organisers on their helpline number: 0115 943 5586.

I hope you will be able to join us on the day.

Stephen Marston

Diversity Champion

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills


-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah Guise
Sent: 03 June 2008 12:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DIUS SES - ECU response

Dear All,

ECU is in the process of preparing a response to this consultation. When
we have done our first draft it will be disseminated to the sector via
this email group and our website for comment. While we may not be able
to incorporate all comments and viewpoints (in the event that there are
contradictory views within the sector) we will do our best to ensure
that the response represents the views of staff and students in Higher
Education Institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Our response will be circulated in the next two weeks.

Best wishes,

Sarah Guise
Policy Adviser

-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Landells
Sent: 03 June 2008 11:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: DIUS SES

Hi,

Colleagues may be interested in the DIUS draft SES consultation which
runs until 4th August:
http://www.dius.gov.uk/consultations/con_120508_equality.html

I would be interested in anyone's thoughts offline.

Mel

Mel Landells
Head of Equality and Diversity
Secretariat
01752 582059
www.plymouth.ac.uk/equality