This roadmap is an unprecedented step in Switzerland and is designed not only to combat discrimination but to capitalise on diversity proactively so as to create a climate fostering creativity and dynamism. Through this innovative approach, the Canton is making an exemplary commitment to ensure that everyone is recognised as a full citizen and has equal access to public services.
The action plan is divided into three parts, which will be implemented over several years:
- A Canton that attempts to lead the way, through its communication and its awareness-raising campaigns, and ensuring that it applies the principle of equal rights in all its activities
- A Canton that provides services, ensuring that important information is available and understandable to all its population, and whose workers are trained in and aware of diversity management;
- Lastly, a Canton that sees to it, as an employer, that it promotes diversity and encourages job applications from people of diverse backgrounds at all hierarchical levels.
What is particularly interesting:
- The project will be implemented by the entire State Council (not only the Minister in charge of interculturalism);
- It is part of the legislative agenda of the State Council, the aims of which include continuing the intercultural tradition of the Canton and ensuring that the public authorities set an example;
- Various departments will be directly concerned and will implement part of the project (for example, statistics, human resources, equality and family) and all the departments will be concerned in the medium and long term (as of 2019, two departments per year will sign a charter for diversity and implement measures).
A monitoring group will be established and set up a tool for monitoring action and outcomes (in particular, to measure diversity within the government).
It is an internal government project, carried out in co-operation with the University of Neuchâtel as regards monitoring.
