Purpose: Fully committed to the principles of the Intercultural Cities Network.
Stimulus/Rationale:
Auckland Council's Inclusive Auckland Framework outlines an organization-wide change programme led by the Diversity and Inclusion Team to improve diversity and inclusion outcomes for Aucklanders and for the Council.
It draws on and aligns perfectly with the intercultural cities principles and approach, understanding inclusion as “recognizing and valuing our differences and viewing them as strengths” and dedicating separate sections specifically to the “diversity advantage”, the concept of “interculturalism” as an approach to inclusion as well as to the Intercultural Cities Network.
Process:
The programme foresees change actions in four key areas:
- “Our people and culture”, aiming to create a diverse talented workforce in the city and a strong inclusive culture;
- “Our systems and processes”, assuring that all processes, policies, plans and services in the city meet the diverse needs of Aucklanders;
- “Strategic leadership for an inclusive Auckland”, assuring that the Council’s strategic leadership fosters social inclusion in Auckland;
- “Diverse and inclusive representation”, assuring that elected and appointed members of the government represent the population diversity.
Promoting intercultural competence, for example, is central for the first and fourth focus areas. This includes actions, such as providing anti-racism workshops and e-learning on unconscious bias, implementing a new approach to capture demographic information for staff to better measure and underpin internal change actions and reviewing the current attraction, recruitment and talent management processes through a diversity and inclusion lens.
The Inclusive Auckland Framework is a response to the inequalities impacting especially Māori and Pacifika communities, but also goes beyond these specific minority groups and addresses all factors of diversity, including age, gender sexuality, disability, nationality, religion and culture. The framework shall be considered as complementary to the already existing Māori Responsiveness Framework and Te Toa Takitini programme aiming to improve Māori economic, social and cultural well-being and increase the Council’s cultural competence to engage and cooperate with Māori communities.
Impact:
The framework also includes an evaluation and monitoring plan.
