This report looks at the initiatives undertaken by companies with the aim of improving the inclusion of the diverse inhabitants of society, and how governments are increasingly supporting and encouraging such action.
The report is intended as a contribution to further joint strategy development and seeks to encourage the widening and deepening of multi-sector partnerships aimed at enhancing the economic activity of immigrant and ethnic minority communities.
The report focuses primarily on the ways in which companies that have recognised their broader stake in society are undertaking initiatives aimed at including its diverse inhabitants, and how governments are increasingly supporting and encouraging such action. In doing so, it aims to contribute to further joint strategy development and to encourage the widening and deepening of multi-sector partnerships aimed at enhancing the economic activity of immigrant and ethnic minority communities.
Chapter one examines business motivations for undertaking actions aimed at immigrant and ethnic minority communities, and broadly considers a few key initiatives taken both internally and externally by several companies. It also posits a number of reasons why many businesses are reluctant or unwilling to engage in such activities.
Chapter two assesses government’s changing role in view of the larger recognised need to engage the business sector in strategies aimed at socio-economic inclusion. In addition to considering government in both its employer and purchaser roles, the chapter examines ways in which governments are acting or could act to encourage business involvement in inclusion strategies.
Chapter three acknowledges the important role that other societal actors – specifically, trade unions and non-governmental organisations – are playing in promoting socio-economic inclusion and considers how they might support and join public-private ventures aimed at this end.
A concluding chapter further examines the need for cross-sectoral partnerships in removing barriers to employment and enterprise creation among immigrant and ethnic minority communities.
