DCU President and Niall Crowley launch 'dignity and respect' policy
2 October 2003

Mary Ainscough, Director of Equality, Niall Crowley, Chief Executive of the Equality Authority and Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President

DCU's policy to promote respect and to protect dignity in DCU was officially launched on Thursday 25 September by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and Niall Crowley, Chief Executive of the Equality Authority, at a function held in the Helix.

The policy was drawn up by the Director of Equality, Mary Ainscough, following a lengthy consultative process with staff on the equality steering group, chaired by Deputy President, Professor Albert Pratt and further endorsement by the Governing Authority. This new document provides all members of the university community, which includes staff, students, visitors, contractors, sub-contractors and others associated with the university, with a set of guidelines which will ensure each individual's right to work in an environment where dignity and respect are essential values.

According to Professor von Prondzynski, because of the nature of universities and their propensity to engage in debate, they are environments which are not always conducive to respect and dignity; it can be easy to trespass over the line of forthright discussion to an area of disrespect. The policy is a clear indication that the university intends to take this agenda seriously and ensure that a clear line is drawn between what is respectful and what is not, and that DCU becomes a place where dignity and respect are truly lived.

Niall Crowley paid tribute to Mary Ainscough for her contribution to the development of this new policy. He referred to equality legislation and the emerging concept of the workplace as a place where the broadest understanding of equality issues are applied. "Equality goes beyond merely avoiding discrimination; it is important to be proactive and to ensure that equality is properly integrated into the workplace", he said. "The key challenge is to turn policy into practice - and with determination that challenge can become a reality".

The policy is accessible at the following web address:
www.dcu.ie/equality/respect/

Mary Ainscough can be contacted at:
7008064
mary.ainscough@dcu.ie