Strategic thinking on equality and mobility

A Diversity Index for Cities?

Presentation by Jan Niessen

What is MPG?

An independent policy ‘think-and-do-tank’ with over 13 years of experience

Our mission is

To contribute to lasting and positive change resulting in open and inclusive societies

We do this by

• stimulating well-informed European debate and action on migration, equality and diversity

• enhancing European co-operation between and amongst governmental agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector

How to measure diversity

What makes a city diverse?

•The diversity of its population?•Gender•Race•Class•Age•Sexual orientation•Nationality

What makes it work ?

•Value young and old for their energy and experience•Engage with all citizens•Grant them equal opportunities•Provide equal access to services•Welcome newcomers•Create an environment where all contribute to the city’s well-being

How to measure diversity

A city is diverse when:

• Citizens are free to be different• Local policies eliminate obstacles to diversity• Local policies increase intercultural skills

Diversity indicators based on government roles:

• Policy-maker• Leader (educator)• Employer• Consumer• Service provider• Facilitator

Developing diversity indicators and benchmarks

CITY AS... EXAMPLE OF INDICATOR MEANS OF COLLECTION...Policy-maker The city has a diversity plan that is designed with the input from and

supported by key stake holders (negotiated consensus) and all departments (mainstreaming)

Content analysis Interviews with leaders

of departments and leaders

...Leader Local political leaders made a public commitment to act on diversity which is reflected in resource allocation and policy priorities

Content Analysis Budgetary analysis Interviews with

leaders; Surveys...Employer The city’s workforce is divers and reflects the composition of the city’s

workforce: recruitment, promotion and retention.

Quantitative analysis HR reports Interviews

with personnel; focus groups

...Consumer The city’s procurement practice is diverse and reflects the composition of the city’s pool of suppliers: small business support, fair selection procedures and practices

Quantitative analysis Interviews with

procurement managers and minority suppliers; surveys

...Service-provider

The city’s services are tailored to the needs of a diverse population: a city service charter; special attention to vulnerable groups

Content analysis Client surveys; focus

groups...Facilitator The city facilitates a (negotiating) platform for sector organisations, civil

society organisations, interest groups, etc. to work out their diversity strategies and provides resources

Content analysis diversity plans

interviews with stakeholders

Budgetary analysis

Developing diversity indicators and benchmarks

TYPE/USE PRO’S CON’S

Self-assessment Part of democratic process; public, official and legitimised

Too formal; not enough civil society engagement; self-congratulatory

Stakeholder assessment Engagement of particular groups of stakeholders; insights of these groups considered and valued

Possibly biased and focussed on particular interests

External audit Factual and independent review, usable by many stakeholders

(seen as) Technocratic with no real stakeholder involvement

Peer review Insights of people in same position are valued

Mutual learning process

Possibly biased as friends being nice to friends

Assessment

Cities Diversity Index

Comparing cities by indexing:• High level objectives:

• Select partner cities: •Design normative framework:• Robust and relevant indicators:• Engage cities:• Research: • Multiple stakeholders:

improving the lives of all citizenslimiting their numbers, raising profiletransparency and integrityensuring usable outcomesmaking the exercise realgetting the factsincreasing use and usefulness

Acting on equality and mobility

Thank you for your attention!