The newly formed Highlands and Islands Equality Forum is pioneering a new approach to combating discrimination in workplaces, in education and in local communities.

By targeting disability, gender and racial issues together, putting emphasis on shared common ground, the forum aims to tackle prejudice in rural areas.

The UK government has recently announced plans to consider combining the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission.

Based in Inverness, the forum's first task will be to arrange a series of awareness raising and consultation events throughout the Highlands and Islands. These will identify existing good practice and gaps in current provision.

Once this research has been completed, the forum intends to develop a range of training programmes which can be delivered to local businesses, educational establishments and community groups. 

This new venture is a two-year pilot project and the first of its kind in Scotland. It has the backing of a powerful coalition of partners, including the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the UHI Millennium Institute, as well as strong grass roots support from voluntary organisations throughout the Highlands and Islands, from Shetland to Argyll. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

According to project leader Frances Powell, although much progress has been made in recent years, research from several sources shows that groups including women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in gaining work and developing their careers.

"The social and economic wellbeing of communities depends on everyone having the opportunity to fulfil their potential and to participate," says Frances. "This cannot be achieved with disadvantage and discrimination affecting many citizens.  Statistics show that women, people with disabilities and people from minority cultures are under represented in decision-making bodies.

"Discrimination takes many forms and bad practice can be simply the result of a lack of awareness.

"A large part of the forum's task will be to raise levels of understanding about equality among a wide range of individuals and organisations.

"The unemployment rate among disabled people of working age in Scotland is around 50 per cent. That represents a huge number of people facing social exclusion when they could be much more actively involved in communities."

In addition, research published this year by the Equal Opportunities Commission indicates that the ' balance of power' in workplaces is still a problem. More than 70 per cent of administrative, personal service and sales jobs in Scotland are held by women, while men make up over 70 per cent of managers, senior officials and skilled trades. What's more, women in full-time jobs can expect to earn around 17 per cent less than their male colleagues.

Dharmendra Kanani, Head of the Commission for Racial Equality in Scotland, has said, with reference to a report on rural racism: "This study shows that minority ethnic groups in rural areas live in fear of harassment and abuse, and without access to the services they need. It highlights serious problems of racism and isolation, and challenges a widespread presumption that racial equality issues are relevant only to areas with substantial numbers of minority ethnic groups."

* Highlands and Islands Equality Forum can be contacted by telephone on 01463 279280/1