ABSTRACT

This chapter examines official discourses relating to community relations, equality and social inclusion in order to assess their contribution to the systemic change of rooted behaviours. The principles of equity, diversity and interdependence in Northern Ireland derive, in the first instance, from research and policy applications within the field of community relations. The chapter describes social exclusion as a key departure point for a follow-on analysis of social prejudice and sectarianism. Social inclusion turns the concept of social exclusion on its head, by identifying the positive side of the same coin. The community relations, equality, and social inclusion are matter is inextricably linked to the other and have facilitated the creation of a raft of legislation, governance infrastructure and policy designed to encourage understanding and respect for cultural diversity, particularly within the labour market, and to reduce social exclusion.