Press release
Shared Island Dialogue to consider the equality and inclusivity agenda on the island
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
-Minister Roderic O’Gorman TD to open Shared Island Dialogue-
- Discussions will explore the progress of equality issues; inclusivity, diversity and minority representation in public life; and shared experience on equality policy development-
More than 100 equality and inclusivity activists, campaigners and representative groups from across all communities and traditions on the island, will participate in the fourth Shared Island Dialogue, which is taking place tomorrow [Monday 10th May].
The online event is the latest in the Shared Island series and is focussing on the theme, “Equality on a Shared Island”.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman TD will open the Dialogue at Dublin Castle.
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister O’Gorman said, “Today’s Shared Island Dialogue focuses on the key provisions of the Good Friday Agreement on equality.
“Many of the people that we will hear from are advocating and working for a fairer and more equal society, North and South - often engaging together, and with colleagues in Britain and in Europe.”
“There has been important progress over the years, and today there are a range of equality objectives and policies where there is much to gain from a sharing of perspective and experience on the island.”
“This Shared Island Dialogue is an opportunity to consider - with the experience, expertise and vision of everyone participating - how in government and in wider society we can best utilise and develop the equality and rights framework of the Good Friday Agreement, today and for the years ahead.”
The online dialogue will consider the current progress of the equality and rights agenda, with contributions from the Chief Commissioners of the independent Human Rights and Equality bodies that were established, North and South, under the Good Friday Agreement. Panel discussions will also explore key issues for achieving inclusivity and equality on the island, including in representation in public life, across themes of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and ability.
The Shared Island Dialogue series was launched by the Taoiseach in October 2020 as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, to foster constructive and inclusive dialogue engaging with all communities and traditions on the island on a shared future underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
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Shared Island Dialogue series
• This Dialogue is the fourth online event convened as part of the Shared Island Dialogue series that was launched by the Taoiseach in October to foster constructive and inclusive civic dialogue with all communities and traditions on a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
• Content from the event will be posted on social media throughout the day by @merrionstreet and you can follow the discussion online using #SharedIsland
• The Shared Island Dialogue series will continue in 2021 focusing on important issues for the future of the island, including on health, education and economy. The previous Dialogue in March was on ‘Civil society – catalyst for connection and understanding on a shared island’ and can be viewed here.
• The Dialogue series will contribute to the Government’s approach to the Shared Island initiative, complementing commissioned research being published through this year and next, and the implementation of commitments on a Shared Island that are set out in the Programme for Government.
• Strengthening social, economic and political links on the island and the promotion of all-island approaches to the strategic challenges facing Ireland, North and South are key objectives.
• The Shared Island Dialogues are being organised by the Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in partnership with Government Departments. Today’s dialogue was delivered in collaboration with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Further information on the Shared Island initiative, can be found on www.gov.ie/sharedisland and the previous Plenary sessions of the Shared Island Dialogues are available to watch at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/dialogues.