Major institutions across the county declare their support for diversity by taking the Equality Pledge

The University of Cambridge and Cambridge City Council have underlined their support for diversity and equality across the city and beyond by taking the Equality Pledge.

Joining them are leading organisations from across the county including councils and emergency services.

The Equality Pledge is being made today during the national pre-launch celebration event for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month 2016 which is being hosted in Cambridge.

Setting out how organisations in the county value diversity, the Equality Pledge states:

“We believe in the dignity of all people and their right to respect and equality of opportunity. We value the strength that comes with difference and the positive contribution that diversity brings to our community. Our aspiration is for Cambridge and the wider region to be safe, welcoming and inclusive.”

Eilis Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations at the University of Cambridge, said: “Diversity and equality play a crucial role in sustaining the University’s academic excellence. With more than 10,000 employees the University is a microcosm of Cambridgeshire’s diverse population and by taking the Equality Pledge we are recognising and celebrating and supporting that diversity.

“We hope that other organisations and individuals will join us in this important initiative.”

Cllr Robert Dryden, Mayor of Cambridge 1 of 3

Picture credit: Cambridge News. 2 of 3

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Cllr Lewis Herbert, Leader of Cambridge City Council: “One of Cambridge’s greatest undoubted strengths as a city is its uniquely diverse nature, attracting people from all over the world, some of whom have fled persecution and intolerance elsewhere.

“By making the Equality Pledge we are clearly stating the commitment of our city to being open and welcoming to everyone who lives here, works here or visits here.”

The partner institutions also signing up to the Equality Pledge are: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Huntingdonshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, and South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

To make your own Equality Pledge visit: www.cambridge.gov.uk/equality-pledge. You can also show your support by Tweeting the special Twitter-friendly Equality Pledge: “Dignity. Respect. Equality. We value the strength that comes with difference & the positive contribution diversity brings”. The hashtag is: #EqualityPledge.

The formal launch of the Pledge takes place tonight at 6pm at Queens’ College in Cambridge (November 26) at a special showcase event marking the pre-launch celebration for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month 2016.

Image credit: Cambridge News. L-R,  Kevin Coutinho of the University's Equality and Diversity section with Eilis Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations.