The CIPR has recently introduced a new initiative aimed to make its members sensitive to the issues of diversity, equality, and multiculturalism.

The CIPR as a professional body recognises the importance of changes taking place in today's society and in the business environment, and the impact this has on the PR industry.

Some of these changes are quite visible: the average age of the workforce rising steadily; the strong presence of women in the workforce; the ethnic minority population accounting for nearly 8% of the UK population (census 2001).

Moreover, the introduction of new legislation – such as The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 as well as the Disability Discrimination Act – emphasises the importance of equal opportunities and should make us reflect on the importance of communicating with different cultures, different gender identities and with disabled people.

The CIPR wants to promote diversity and multiculturalism as a resource for public relations.

Objectives of the website

	To make CIPR members sensitive to the meaning, the importance and the value of diversity and multiculturalism
	To encourage CIPR members to adopt and respect equal opportunities within their workplaces
	To inform on polices and strategies on diversity adopted by the CIPR
	To encourage best practice, focusing on the production of PR campaigns that consider multicultural and diverse targets and publics
	To help PR people from a diverse background to better understand their rights on equality of treatment on the workplace

To reach the objectives, the website will provide:

	General information on the issue of diversity
	Information on the CIPR programme on diversity
	Case studies of successful campaigns reaching a diverse audience
	Information on the legislation covering these issues
	Testimonials of people working in the PR industry from a diverse background
	Useful links and reports