The Welsh Assembly government began consultation on a new race equality scheme covering its work.
Source: Promoting Race Equality: Consultation on a new race equality scheme for the National Assembly for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2003-Nov
A report said that problems of accessibility to polling stations experienced during the Welsh Assembly elections in 2003 were worse than they had been for the general election in 2001.
Source: Gwilym Morris, Giles Roddy and Esther Barnett, Polls Apart Cymru, Scope (020 7619 7341)
Links: Report (pdf links) | Scope press release (Word file)
Date: 2003-Oct
A survey in Wales described the prevalence of workplace discrimination, school bullying, and general victimisation experienced by the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. More than 1 in 3 respondents reported being the victim of physical violence or bullying, and 25 per cent reported having been dismissed from a job because of their sexuality.
Source: Counted Out, Stonewall Cymru (029 2023 7744)
Links: Summary (pdf) | Summary (Welsh) (pdf) | WAG press release | Citizenship 21 press release
Date: 2003-Oct
A paper argued a case for breaking down barriers between 'sociological' and 'psychological' approaches to researching identity, with reference to a qualitative study of national and ethnic identities in older primary school children in Wales.
Source: Jonathon Scourfield and Andrew Davies, National and Ethnic Identities in Children: Reflections on social processes and disciplinary tensions, Working Paper 37, School of Social Sciences/Cardiff University (029 2087 5179)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Aug
A research study found evidence of an achievement gap between the results of ethnic minority pupils in Wales and those of pupils as a whole. Wide variations in attainment were found between different groups: Indian and Chinese pupils tended to achieve better than the national average, while those from African-Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds achieved significantly less well than the national average.
Source: English As An Additional Language Association of Wales, Building Partnerships and Breaking Down Barriers, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 6079)
Links: WAG press release | CRE press release
Date: 2003-Jun
A report provided a statistical analysis and literature review relating to the housing, social and economic circumstances of black and minority ethnic people living in Wales.
Source: The Housing and Socio-Economic Circumstances of Black and Minority Ethnic People in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 3353)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A new book described the contribution of ethnic minorities in Wales to the development of Welsh economic, social and cultural life.
Source: Charlotte Williams, Neil Evans and Paul O'Leary (eds.), A Tolerant Nation?: Exploring ethnic diversity in Wales, University of Wales Press (029 2049 6899)
Links: Summary
Date: 2003-May
The Welsh Assembly Government launched a national action plan for a bilingual Wales. The plan aims to support and build upon language use amongst businesses, communities and individuals.
Source: Iaith Pawb: National Action Plan for a Bilingual Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 6028)
Links: Plan (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2003-Mar
The percentage of children speaking Welsh fluently in primary schools in Wales increased from 13.2 per cent in 1988 to 16.8 per cent in 2002. In addition, analysis of the 2001 Census results showed Welsh speakers increasing from 508,000 (19 per cent) in 1991 to around 580,000 (21 per cent) in 2001.
Source: Welsh In Schools, Statistical Bulletin 12/2003, National Assembly for Wales (029 2082 5050) | Press release 13.2.03, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Bulletin (pdf) | NAW press release | ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb
