Police staff are invited to take part in New Zealand¡¯s first National Rainbow Conference, led by Police and the Department of Corrections.
The conference aims to underline the public sector¡¯s commitment to diversity and build trust and confidence among Rainbow communities and the wider population.
It is being held at Unitec Institute of Technology, Mt Albert, Auckland, on 8 and 9 November.
The conference will involve staff from public-facing agencies including Police, Corrections, the Human Rights Commission, Fire, Ambulance and Customs.
Inspector Tracy Phillips, Rainbow Connections Diversity Liaison Officer in T¨¡maki Makaurau, says the conference was born from recognition of a gap in training, development and networking among public sector agencies on Rainbow matters.
It was also clear non-government agencies and support networks had no forum to network or engage with regulatory and government agencies.
¡°Diversity conferences and events traditionally focused on empowering women in the workplace and have not looked at Rainbow inclusion,¡± says Tracy.
¡°°Õhis conference shows a serious commitment to diversity in the workplace and also in dealing with Rainbow communities.
¡°°Õhis is an opportunity for our staff to help break down barriers and stereotypes to support friends, colleagues, wh¨¡nau, and community.¡±
The conference will also be an opportunity to link with non-government organisations which specialise in Rainbow matters.
It is anticipated most of those attending will be those working directly with LGBTIQ+ communities, with capacity for chief executives to attend to learn more and support their people.
¡°We want to provide staff with tools, contacts, networks and knowledge to better understand and work with Rainbow communities to reduce harm and increase trust and confidence,¡± says Tracy.
¡°Secondly, we need to increase and demonstrate a genuine commitment to working better with Rainbow communities.
¡°It is very much about moving from tolerance to inclusion and sharing the work being done so it is genuine, sustainable and visible.
¡°°Õhis conference provides a visible platform to increase knowledge and understanding, share what works and challenge ourselves to think differently for different results.¡±
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