The Integrated Equality Scheme is the tool we have developed to help us promote equality and eliminate discrimination in the areas of gender, race and disability. As a UK public body we are legally required to promote equality in these areas, but because we are an international organisation our Integrated Equality Scheme applies worldwide, not just in the UK.

The easiest way to understand the Integrated Equality Scheme is to read the Executive Summary, along with the equality objectives outlined for disability, gender and race.  We will report each year on the progress we have made against our Integrated Equality Scheme.

• Integrated Equality Scheme - Full document
• Integrated Equality Scheme - Executive Summary
• Disability, Gender, and Race objectives - how we propose to deliver equality in these three areas

Our first annual progress report is available to read, outlining the action that has been taken over the first year of our Integrated Equality Scheme.

• Year One Progress Report
• Year One Action Plan
• Annex 1 - Progress in Disability
• Annex 2 - Progress in Gender
• Annex 3 - Progress in Race

Diversity Assessment Framework (DAF)
What is the DAF? The purpose of the DAF is to evaluate progress in the mainstreaming of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EO&D) across the organisation. It shows up strengths and weaknesses, highlights development opportunities and supports risk management with respect to EO&D. It also supports the organisation’s  Diversity Strategy and assists in the achievement of common standards, as well as contributing to the monitoring of progress against the  Integrated Equality Scheme.

The DAF takes the form of a continuum of five levels, each consisting of a number of indicators reflecting performance around a specific area of EO&D. The levels range from Level 1, Embarking, to Level 5, Leading. Please view a diagramatic representation of the DAF.

Why do we have the DAF? As an international organisation, we face the issue of managing the balance between ‘central’ and ‘local’ decision-making and accountability. We believe that international organisations do have to set certain standards regardless of culture, nationality and other areas, in order for core issues and values relevant to them to be addressed across contexts. This helps to support necessary organisational coherence and cohesion. The task is therefore to develop approaches that can reinforce our position and support the message that diversity is an important core organisational value and activity with requisite standards, without being over-prescriptive or ethno-centric. The Diversity Assessment Framework ( DAF ) is a tool which has been developed for this purpose.

What are the outcomes?
Action plans at a country and regional level help us to identify areas of improvement, to widen our reach, provide better customer service and increase our understanding of diversity on a UK , international and local perspective.  Now in its 4 th year, the DAF is breaking new ground and attracting external interest and recognition.