Laying the foundations This page introduces the 'Laying the Foundations' section of the Good Race Relations guidePublic sector guidance Main page for the public sector guidance section of the good race relations guideVoluntary sector guidance Voluntary and community organisations, like other organisations, are bound by the general prohibition of racial discrimination enshrined in the Race Relations Act 1976 (RRA). Unlike public authorities, they do not have a legal duty to promote race equality. However, their connections to the local community, and their ability to stimulate and support community participation, mean they have a crucial role to play in helping public authorities to promote good race relations. In certain circumstances, therefore, voluntary and community sector businesses may have a contractual liability for meeting certain requirements of the race equality duty: principally when working under contract to public authorities.Private sector guidance The general prohibition of racial discrimination introduced by the RRA applies to all organisations, public, private and voluntary. However, public authorities have an additional duty to promote race equality. If a private organisation is working under contract to a public authority, the authority remains responsible for meeting the race equality duty, but it must ensure that the external supplier meets any relevant requirements on its behalf.Tell us what you think of this guide Feedback form for the good race relations guide - tell us what you think of it, and how we can improve itGlossary Glossary of terms used in the good race relations guideBibliography Bibliography to the good race relations guide - further reading and references, CRE publications and weblinksCase studies Links to case studies within the good race relations guide, grouped by sector: general interest, central government, local government, schools, further and higehr education, health, housing, voluntary sector and private sectorThe race equality duty Introduction to the race equality duty on public authoritities in England, Scotland and Wales, includinga brief explanation of the general and specific duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.CRE response to the Government White Paper 'Strength In Diversity' The following is an extract from CRE chair Trevor Phillips' foreword to the CRE's response to 'Strength in Diversity', a consultation paper published by the Government in May 2004.Towards Racial Equality: a survey of compliance with the duty Details of 'Towards Racial Equality' - a 2003 survey commissioned by the CRE which looked at the progress made so far by public authorities towards implementing the dutyReligious discrimination - what the CRE can and can't do In December 2003, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (“the Religion or Belief Regulations”) came into force. These prohibit discrimination in employment on grounds of religion or belief.The CRE has no authority to provide assistance to anyone who intends to bring a case under the new law. Currently, no other body has been created by the Government to provide help or representation in this respect.

This page was last updated on 11 July 2005

Introduction to this guide

Under the Race Relations Act 1976 (RRA), public authorities have a statutory general duty to promote race equality. The duty is made up of three distinct parts: to work to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, to promote equality of opportunity, and to promote good race relations.

This guidance explains what is meant by ‘good race relations’, and suggests steps that public authorities may take to achieve it. While each part of the race equality duty is distinct, the three strands are interdependent. The steps public authorities take to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity should also be designed to promote good race relations and this is reflected in the specific guidance we give under each section of this guide.

The guidance is designed, in particular, to help public authorities that are bound by the general duty. It gives examples of the types of activities that are likely to promote good race relations and help authorities to meet this part of the duty.

The race equality duty: the general duty

The specific duties provide a framework to ensure the better performance of the general race equality duty through developing and implementing race equality schemes (RESs), or race equality policies (REPs) in the case of schools or further and higher education institutions. Public authorities subject to the general duty must address all three parts of the race equality duty when developing their RESs and REPs.

While promoting good race relations requires effective action by all sectors in society, and this guide includes sections for the private and voluntary sectors, well as individual sections for the main public policy areas, the primary purpose of this guide is to advise public authorities on how they can meet this part of the race equality duty.

The case studies used in this guide are not intended to be an authoritative guide nor an endorsement of any particular initiative or scheme. They have been included for demonstrative purposes in order to give examples of the types of initiatives that may amount to promoting good race relations. Each study is particular to the circumstances to which they have occurred and in practice will differ according to the specific local regional or current national context. Public authorities must assess the current context in which they are working when deciding the steps they need to promote good race relations.

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Why is this guidance needed?

The 2001 disturbances in several north England cities, and the long-running media debates over the meaning of terms such as ‘integration’, ‘multiculturalism’ and ‘Britishness’, point to the need for a better understanding of ‘good race relations’.

Increasingly, global events raise new issues about race, ethnicity and identity, and in some instances affect relationships within and between communities in the UK. As populations become more mobile within the UK, across the European Union and worldwide, public authorities have to face new challenges to address the needs of ever-changing and increasingly diverse communities in Britain.

CRE response to the Government's consultation paper 'Strength In Diversity'

CRE-commissioned research into how public authorities were meeting the race equality duty in 2003, found that they had paid less attention to the third part of the duty – to promote good race relations – than to the others.

Towards Racial Equality: summaries of Schneider-Ross research reports commissioned by the CRE

These factors underline the need for public authorities to give greater consideration to the duty to promote good race relations, and specifically to identify what this requires them to do as providers of services or employers in their own local, regional, national context.

Achieving good relations therefore, is a continuous challenge that requires different approaches to respond to new challenges and opportunities locally, nationally and globally. Over the past 40 years in Britain, many efforts have been made to address these issues with varying degrees of success and failure. The lessons learned have informed our understanding about ways in which good race relations may be created or prevented and this is reflected in the advice in this guide.

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What is the status of the guidance?

This guidance does not have legal standing. However, it sets out standards for good practice in promoting good race relations, and should be used as a benchmark and as a source of practical guidance by all public authorities bound by the duties under the RRA.

Inspection bodies should also use the guide to identify standards for racial equality, and to audit and assess organisations’ performance.

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What does ‘good race relations’ mean?

This guide provides a minimum definition of good race relations. Each organisation will need to develop a more detailed understanding, based on for its particular circumstances. These will change and it is important to recognise that an organisation’s approach to ‘good race relations’ will need to be reviewed to reflect its new circumstances.

The RRA defines a racial group as a group of people defined by their race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), or ethnic or national origins. Jews, Sikhs, Gypsies and Irish Travellers have been recognised by the courts as racial groups for the purpose of the RRA.

In this guide, the term ‘race relations’ covers relations between and within different racial groups, including groups originating in the different countries that make up the UK.

Members of religions or beliefs other than those mentioned above are not protected under the RRA, although the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 now offer protection from discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in employment and vocational training

Religious discrimination: what the CRE can and can't do

Asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants are not racial groups under the RRA, although individuals have full protection from discrimination on the grounds of their colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins.

Case studies: Asylum and immigration

The promotion of good race relations involves challenging public misconceptions or preconceptions, and prejudices against people perceived as outsiders or foreigners, as well as making sure that people from all racial groups are aware of their rights and have access to, and information about, the services available to them. This guidance therefore includes examples of good practice that public authorities and others may use to promote positive attitudes towards people of different faiths (or no faith), asylum seekers and refugees, and new economic migrants.

Case studies: Faiths

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Principles of good race relations

The term ‘race relations’ is not defined in statute or case law. However, we have identified five principles that should govern public authorities’ efforts in this area. Each is equally necessary to achieve good race relations.

Equality – equal rights and opportunities for everyone in all areas of activity.
Respect – acceptance of the individual right to identify with, maintain and develop one’s particular cultural heritage, and to explore other cultures.
Security – a safe environment, free from racism, for all.
Unity – acceptance of belonging to a wider community, and of shared values and responsibilities, rooted in common citizenship and humanity.
Cooperation – interaction by individuals and groups to achieve common goals, resolve conflict, and create community cohesion.

This guide applies to England, Wales and Scotland. Where relevant, specific reference to guidance or arrangements in Wales and Scotland has been made.

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