Race Equality Week 2024 – #ListenActChange

6 Feb

Written By Elizabeth Goodchild

Race Equality Week takes place from 5 – 11 February 2024

2024 Theme is #ListenActChange – because we all need to focus on action, change and impact, and not just words
Birmingham Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector Mini Race Impact Summit highlighted race inequality within the sector and the need for action – the Summit’s Draft Position Paper includes a Draft Action Plan to support this
Taking part in Race Equality Week can help your organisation raise awareness of race equality issues
Have your say on the action that the VCFSE and other sectors across Birmingham need to take through Birmingham
Race Impact Group’s Position Paper consultation
Act on your VCFSE organisation’s board diversity by taking part in the 3 Year Board Challenge!
Join WMCA to discuss increasing diversity in charity leadership

Race Equality Week

Race Equality Week, takes place from 5 to 11 February 2024.

Race Equality Week will unite thousands of organisations in action to seriously address race inequality in the workplace.

A UK-wide initiative, Race Equality Week was launched by community interest company Race Equality Matters to turn words into meaningful action; a movement spurred on by the events of 2020, which have heightened the country’s collective consciousness of the racism, inequality, and injustice experienced by ethnically diverse communities.

Over 4500 organisations took part in Race Equality Week in 2023.

2024 Theme

This year’s theme, #ListenActChange, was selected by the Race Equality Matters (REM) community.

Only 25% of the REM community believes their organisation focuses on action, change, and impact and not just words. 63% believe that less than a quarter of allies are actually helping to tackle race inequality. 44% said their senior leaders and managers are committed to tackling race inequality, but only 21% said their senior leaders and managers are making an impact in tackling race inequality.

There has been a lot of listening, and discussing, but very little action and even less meaningful change. If we all commit to #ListenActChange then real change can take place.

Race Inequality in the Birmingham VCFSE Sector

These national findings are sadly reflected in the Birmingham Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.

The Birmingham VCFSE sector Mini Race Impact Summit, highlighted that racism is present within the sector, and that radical and long-term change is needed to tackle race inequality.

The Summit’s Draft Position Paper includes a Draft Action Plan highlighting actions that we can take as a VCFSE sector, and as individual organisations on race equality.

One of the key takeaways from the Position Paper is that that there is a lack of knowledge and skills across the VCFSE sector on equality, diversity and inclusion issues, and that greater education and awareness raising on race equality issues is required to support action.

Involvement in Race Equality Week provides VCFSE sector organisations with a great opportunity to raise awareness of race equality, and the action we can take, supported by a range of campaign materials, events and resources.

Take Part in Race Equality Week

There are lots of different ways your organisation can take part in Race Equality Week:

· The 5-Day Challenge: daily, 5 minute, 5-Day Challenge includes videos, articles and activities to help your employees and volunteers reflect and take action on race equality

· The Big Promise: make The Big Promise; individual public commitment to action and not just words

· Race Equality Matters Events: encourage employees and volunteers to attend an online event

· Have Your Say on the BRIG Themed Position Papers: your organisation, employees and volunteers can have their say on the VCFSE Position Paper, as well as other themed position papers across the City, through BRIG’s Position Papers consultation

· Sign Your VCFSE Organisation Up to the 3 Year Board Challenge: increase the diversity of your VCFSE organisation’s board by signing up to the Three Year Board Challenge. Come along to the launch of the Challenge on 7 February 5pm – 6pm to find out more!

· Join WMCA to Discuss Increasing Diversity in Charity Leadership: West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) invites you to join us for this roundtable discussion on 15 February on how best to increase and support diversity within the region’s charity leadership.

· Register to get the BRIG Newsletter: keep updated on local Birmingham Race Equality news and events on an ongoing basis by registering for the BRIG Newsletter here

· Run Your Own event: If you do decide to run your own event during Race Equality Week and would like us to promote it, contact comms@bvsc.org

For further details visit: www.raceequalitymatters.com/race-equality-week/