Event details
Open Data for Race Equality? One-Day Seminar and Capacity Building Event
27 November 2012
Middlesex University, Hendon Campus
27 November 2012 from 10AM - 4PM
Runnymede Trust and Middlesex University (Social Policy Research Centre) are working in partnership to organize a one-day seminar and capacity building event on the government’s ‘Open Data’ agenda and its impact on Race Equality in the UK. More generally, the event will discuss changes in how public data is funded, collected and made accessible to the general public and how the community sector can use data for advocacy and to hold local and national government to account.
What is the Open Data agenda and how does it relate to race equality?
The economic recession has been having a significant impact on the levels of inequality throughout the UK. The effects of the Spending Review, together with far-reaching policy changes to welfare and public service provision are expected to radically modify the ways in which the needs of different members of British society are identified and addressed.
The government’s ‘Open Data’ agenda – presented in a White Paper in June 2012 - aims to improve government transparency and accountability in order to “empower citizens, foster innovation and reform public services”. Although this is not one of the agenda’s declared aims, its full implementation could facilitate monitoring ‘real world’ changes and advocating for Racial Equality on the basis of ‘hard data’. More than ever before, detailed evidence is needed by community organizations in order to influence policy makers, secure funding and become involved in service delivery. Compliance to the Equality Act – both by the public and community sector – also requires an ability to access, understand and effectively use data.
All those interested in Racial Equality should join this debate and influence this process.
What will happen on the day?
The morning will bring together practitioners, researchers, policy makers and representatives from the BME community sector for a discussion on policy updates and innovations taking place, and to identify key challenges and opportunities.
The afternoon will include a series of workshops for Third Sector and community organizations, including hands-on sessions on how to access and use data and a presentation of Runnymede’s ‘Equality Scorecard Project’.
A more detailed programme will be published in the coming days.
Further information and registration
The event is free to attend, with lunch provided.
Please click here to register for the event.
Early booking is essential for our planning purposes, and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please book your place now!
All participants will receive a resource pack including a ‘Think Piece’ produced specifically for this event. A certificate of attendance will be granted through Middlesex University upon request.
For further information or accessibility or accommodation needs, please email research-B@runnymedetrust.org or call Runnymede Trust at 020 7377 9222 and request to speak with Omar or Kam.
