Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | ECSA

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Our commitment

Edinburgh College Students’ Association takes its role as a champion for Equality & Diversity very seriously. We want to build an inclusive and empowering environment for all students so that they can fully participate in college life and enjoy their time at Edinburgh College. We believe liberation is key to achieving this vision and we have a responsibility to provide a voice for our diverse student population.

We are committed to the development of a society where diversity is respected, valued and celebrated and where people do not face discrimination, prejudice and oppression, but can flourish and reach their potential.

We believe 

  • In promoting equity and offering opportunities to speak out to those who are in greater need or to those whom it will affect more. 
  • That changes we implement should be led and informed by those it affects the most 
  • Intersectionality is central to equality 
  • That the important building blocks for a successful college and successful students are mutual respect, commitment and a strong sense of community where all individuals, no matter their background, have an opportunity to develop and improve. 

We will 

  • Create a learning environment that will enable and encourage all students to experience and celebrate diverse cultures and identities. 
  • Continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders; students, college staff and external organisations 
  • Empower students to take their seat at the table and engage in celebrating our differences and focus on what brings us together
  • Ensure we continue to educate ourselves
  • Listen to any feedback from students, especially those with lived experiences
     

Definitions

Equality creates a fair and inclusive society, through challenging prejudice and discrimination, and ensure individuals or groups are treated fairly and have equal access to opportunities.

Diversity means difference and is about recognising, respecting and embracing the differences between people and their experiences. It is about moving beyond tolerance to valuing and celebrating individual differences.

Liberation is the seeking of equal status and freedom from all forms of oppression  

Intersectionality is the concept that all oppression is linked. It describes the complex way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups. More information here
 

At EC Students' Association we believe that no-one should be discriminated against. This is protected in law in the Equality Act and we strive to ensure that no-one is discriminated against for any personal characteristic not specifically listed in the act itself.

The Equality Act (2010) states that no one should be discriminated, harassed or victimised because of their protected characteristics: 

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

Other characteristics we also believe should be considered: 

  • caring and parental responsibilities
  • employment status
  • full or part time student status
  • gender identity and presentation
  • HIV status
  • mental health status
  • physical appearance
  • socio-economic background
  • spent or irrelevant criminal convictions
  • trade union affiliation

Fast Forward

Fast Forward provide high quality health education and prevention interventions and projects to enable young people to make informed choices about their wellbeing and to live healthier lifestyles.

Who Cares Scotland

Who Cares? Scotland is a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers across Scotland.

Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

ELREC exists to promote equality and to fight all forms of prejudice. They believe that no one can claim to live in a fair and just society whilst prejudice and inequalities exist.

Women's Aid Edinburgh

Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.

Shakti Women's Aid

Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.

LGBT Youth Scotland

 		LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country whose goal is to make Scotland the best place to grow up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people.

Edinburgh Carers Council

Edinburgh Carers Council is an independent Edinburgh charity that is carer-led in its developments. They provide information to carers about all aspects of mental health care and services; individual advocacy services for carers and named persons; and training opportunities so carers can be empowered.

The Junction

The Junction is a safe, friendly, confidential centre which offers lots of health-related services, education and support for young people in Leith and North East Edinburgh aged 12-21.

Your feedback about Equality & Diversity

Thank you for taking the time to read our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. At ECSA we are committed to better and value the input of students, so if you have any feedback relating to any of the above or you want to share your experience of Equality & Diversity at Edinburgh College or in wider society please have a look at the form below.

Throughout the year we will show case student experiences (with permission of course), hoping that we can celebrate diversity and raise awareness. 

Please note, that this is not a reporting function. If you are looking to speak to someone about a specific incident that you want to report, please contact Police Scotland or get in touch for more information. 

Contact details
Tell us about any positive instances of feeling included and equal while a student at Edinburgh College. This can be initiatives or times when students or staff have made a difference. Equally we want to know things that maybe haven't been great so we can try and tackle those!