Promoting community relations

Community relations, equality and diversity policy

The Department’s CRED policy (2011) aims to contribute to improving relations between communities by educating young people to develop self-respect and respect for others. It underpins the Department’s Sharing Works policy in respect of the good relations, respect for identity, diversity and community cohesion aspects of Shared Education.

The objectives of the policy are to:

• 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;
• educate children and young people to live and participate in the 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 link:

• CRED Policy

CRED Policy Addendum

The Department reviewed the CRED policy in 2014/15 to ensure that it was meeting its objectives and to inform its further development. This resulted in the publication of an Addendum which outlines additional commitments to further embed the policy.

The Addendum should be read in conjunction with the policy.

A copy of the Addendum can be downloaded from the following link:

• CRED Policy Addendum

Guidance

In addition to the policy the Department has published the following guidance, evaluation document and circular 2012/02:

• CRED policy - guidance notes
• CRED - quality indicators
• Circular 2012/02 - Guidance to schools and youth service on CRED in education policy