Community Relations, Equality and Diversity

On 24 March 2011 the Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, launched a new policy, Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in Education which will contribute to improving relations between communities.

The main thrust of the Department’s Community Relations, Equality and Diversity policy is to contribute to improving relations between communities by educating children and young people to develop self respect and respect for others, by providing children and young people, in formal and non formal education settings, with opportunities to build relationships with those of different backgrounds and traditions within the resources available.

The objectives of the policy are:

• Ensure that learners, at each stage of their development, have an understanding of and respect for the rights, equality and diversity of all without discrimination; and
• Educate children and young people to live and participate in a changing world, so that they value and respect difference and engage positively with it, taking account of the ongoing intercommunity divisions arising from conflict and increasing diversity within our society; and
• Equip children and young people with the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to develop mutual understanding and recognition of, and respect for, difference.

A copy of the Policy can be downloaded from the following links:

cred_policy_-_march_2011_-_word_version.doc (word doc 461kb)

cred_policy_doc1.pdf (PDF FILE 166kb)

An Irish version can also be downloaded  from the following links:

final_cred_policy_-_march_2011_-_irish_word_version.doc( Word Doc.427kb)

final_cred_policy_-_march_2011_-_irish_pdf.pdf (PDF DOC 233KB)

Back to Top