Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Paragraph: 83
It is the responsibility of those in the sector who hold the most power to...
Conclusion
It is the responsibility of those in the sector who hold the most power to increase diversity, inclusion and transparency, and be accountable for the steps their organisations are taking to dismantle structural racism. Responsibility for engendering culture change and increasing diversity within aid organisations should sit with the senior leadership of the organisation. Whoever is leading this work needs sufficient seniority to be able to drive it forward without fear of reprisals. Likewise, responsibility should not sit solely in human resources departments; the vision must be adopted by the senior leadership, and it should be embedded throughout the workforce. Leaders must ensure that everyone understands their own personal responsibility to promote a zero-tolerance culture towards discrimination, abuse and harassment.
Paragraph Reference:
83
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
In recognition of the responsibility of senior leadership to take action to make tangible change in the FCDO to ensure we are living up to our commitments on diversity and inclusion, the Department,at its creation, appointed a Director General level Board Sponsor for Race in September 2020. In July 2022, the FCDO Executive Committee agreed a series of actions to ensure progress on race within the organisation, in particular increasing representation of minority ethnic staff at senior grades. This included reaffirming our commitment to ensure a zero-tolerance environment for bullying, harassment and discrimination, and ties in with work to refresh our internal systems for managing grievances. The Board Sponsor is supported in their work by five senior Race Sponsors, who work with human resources and the FCDO’s REN to ensure progress is made on the Business in the Community Charter Commitments.