About FEDS

 

The Forum is established as a network to promote Equality and Diversity in the community of Somerset and provide consultation, monitoring and facilitation support to public, business and voluntary sector bodies.

FEDS will encourage, through its practice, that all the areas of equality are covered with particular reference to the Human Rights Act 1998 and the law covering discrimination relating to race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation and disability (the six equalities strands).

VALUES:

FEDS adopts the values of the Community Cohesion Strategy for Somerset.

• Everyone can live, work, learn and play without fear of discrimination
• Everyone is treated fairly, equally and without prejudice
• People are able to be visibly different so that the diversity within the community is accepted
• Communities and people feel safe, comfortable, valued and live here without fear or perceived fear
• There is an acceptance, understanding and acknowledgement of difference and zero tolerance of inequality by the majority

Objectives:

(n. Something worked towards or striven for; a goal.)

Promoting equality of opportunity in Somerset.

1. Exchange knowledge and understanding, and raise awareness within its members and the wider community.
2. Ensuring all members (and others) comply with the various Equalities legislation by encouraging, supporting and monitoring.
3. Celebrate and promote good/best practice.
4. Bringing together the Voluntary, Statutory, Business and Community sectors in partnership.
5. Becoming recognised as the expertise on equalities matters in Somerset.
6. Training members to be effective representatives of all equalities strands.
7. Providing a consultative and advisory forum to the public, voluntary, private and business sectors.
8. Engaging with all sectors

Aims:

(n. The act of aiming.)

(v. To direct toward or intend for a particular goal or group)

To scrutinise, challenge and support the work of the SSP, LSPs and public bodies in relation to their delivery of Equalities and Community Cohesion.

1. To provide and facilitate effective representation from equality and diversity perspectives on strategic partnerships and decision making bodies.
2. To challenge and engage with current law and public policy to promote fairness and equality.
3. To collate and disseminate information to and between members groups.
4. To provide a regular discussion forum
5. To provide a shared response to local and national consultation opportunities.
6. To identify cross cutting areas for funding and partnership working.
7. To work with youth organisation to establish a parallel youth FEDS.
8. To actively continue to build membership and support members in equalities issues.
9. To identify future areas of funding to ensure the sustainability of FEDS.