The Lib Dem Diversity Engagement Group: Progress to July 2010

• [Aug 01] Vince Cable* writes: THE Federal Executive Committee meeting of 17 March 2008 agreed to accept the strategy document presented by the National Diversity Adviser: 'Meeting the Diversity Challenge - From Barriers to Benefits'. In addition, the Executive also agreed to set up the Diversity Engagement Group (DEG) to oversee achievement of the Party's equality and diversity priorities. This initiative was to involve nominated 'Champions' from all sections of the Party in leading the new strategic and accountable body responsible for every aspect of delivering our diversity agenda and for reporting back to FE.

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National Diversity Unit

There is now a dedicated unit based at Cowley Street HQ which is responsible for coordinating and promoting diversity initiatives across the Party. This Unit will work closely with departments, groups and committees across the Party, including SAO's concerned with diversity, the Campaigns Department, the State Candidates Committees, Federal Executive, and Regional and local parties. This approach is vital in order to ensure that best practice objectives are shared and implemented in all areas of the Party. Regional Diversity Champions have been appointed by each region and will work in partnership with the National Diversity Unit to encourage, promote and support initiatives, the diversity of the local parties and candidates in the region.

• The Unit will provide advice, mentoring, training and on-going support for all Diversity Champions, and work in partnership with them to provide support to Party members from under-represented groups. This will specifically focus on those who wish to become representatives of the Party

• Two training sessions for Diversity Champions have been held in London and Cardiff since the election, and further training will be held at all the Federal Conferences.

• This training focuses on action planning, and the Diversity Champions will be responsible for driving through the action plan within each region.

• They will also be forming teams working on these issues within each region and building up the networks in order to achieve the agreed objectives.

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New Generation Group

• The New Generation Group is a mentoring and training initiative that provides targeted support for up and coming BME party activists.

• Since its launch last year the group has grown to over 60 members. All members are now able to access tailored training on how to develop their campaigning and organisational skills, raise their profiles and promote their political careers.

• The group includes 17 current BME Parliamentary candidates, 18 councillors, and 6 women who participated in the Operation Black Vote BME councillor shadowing scheme

• Regular and on-going targeted support is being provided to BAME potential Parliamentary candidates, particularly those who wish to apply for selection in this electoral cycle.

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Campaign for Gender Balance

• The Campaign for Gender Balance continues its programme of training, mentoring and support for potential women candidates.

• The full report to Conference gives further details of the Campaign's recent activities. Feedback Opportunities for Candidates

• Two General Election feedback events have been held for BAME candidates in London and Birmingham, with a survey sent to all those unable to attend

• The aim of the events is to establish feedback from various seats, learn necessary lessons and to gain views on what next steps the Party should be taking.

• The outcomes will feed into a report being developed by the National Diversity Adviser providing recommendations to the Party for change and success in achieving Liberal Democrat BAME representation in the House of Commons in future elections.

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Support for SAO's

• The Liberal Democrat Disability Association (LDDA) Review Group has now completed a comprehensive organisational review and has put forward its recommendations for further action by the Party in a report to the Diversity Engagement Group (DEG).

• Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats will have an intern working within the Diversity Unit, assisting with other diversity initiatives as necessary.

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Support and Guidance for Local Parties

• The Diversity Unit will be running training at Federal, Welsh and Scottish Conferences on widening participation and encouraging diversity within local parties

• This training will form the basis for written guidance that will be developed towards the end of the year.

• Support will be provided for local parties through the Diversity Unit and Regional Diversity Champions

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Diversity Engagement Group

• The next meeting of the group will be at Autumn Conference in Liverpool

• A reception for all Diversity Engagement Group members was held at the 2010 Spring Conference in Birmingham, and another event will be held at Autumn Conference in Liverpool.

• Regional Diversity Champions will now form part of this group and will be reporting back on progress in each region.

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*Chair - Diversity Engagement Group July 2010