Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) has launched a new Ethnicity Network Group, to help create a more inclusive profession.
The Ethnicity Network Group will include a programme of events; the provision of training and resources for organisations; and the development of a mentoring programme to support members and students from Traveller, Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups.
In establishing this initiative, the profession wants to encourage and facilitate the discussion of issues relevant to people in these minority groups and give them the voice and platform to identify solutions.
The move follows a survey of over 1,300 members and students of CAI conducted by Coyne Research, which showed that over 40% (2 in 5) of members who claim to have witnessed/heard discrimination against others report it was based on ethnicity. And, 2 in 3 students reported the same. Accordingly, among both members and students, ethnicity was cited as the primary area that the Institute could place greater priority on, and over half of members and 60% of students surveyed said they would be interested in attending associated training or supports if offered by the Institute.
Deborah Somorin, chair of the CAI Ethnicity Network Group, said: With this network we will aim to expand the conversation around diversity, to further strengthen the cultural intelligence within our profession and beyond, and to continually challenge biases in the highest and best way. Iām immensely proud of where we are today and look forward to seeing what we can create together.ā
