Mount Merrion parishioner appointed as new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Secretary of State Owen Paterson MP has announced the appointment of Michael Wardlow as the new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Michael is a parishioner of Mount Merrion Parish in east Belfast and was, until recently, a member of the Select Vestry.
Owen Paterson said: “The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland plays an important role in protecting and promoting equality for everyone in Northern Ireland’s diverse society.
“The new Chief Commissioner will bring with him skills, understanding and knowledge that will contribute greatly to the Commission’s work. The guarantee of equal treatment is an essential underpinning to the development of the more cohesive society and the shared future that people in Northern Ireland aspire to.
“I am confident that the new Chief Commissioner will help the Commission deliver on its mission to improve people’s lives in a way that commands support across the community.”
Biography
Michael Wardlow currently works as a freelance consultant specialising in assisting organisations or groups, nationally or internationally based, which are working in the broad area of citizenship, equality, cohesion, integration, peace building and reconciliation.
Until August 2009, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, a post he held from 1995. Within this role he worked to promote the growth and development of integrated eduation in Northern Ireland. The majority of his work has been in the area of peace building, good relations and reconciliation, focusing on youth work and leadership training. He has a strong connection with the YMCA having held both paid and voluntary appointments since 1975, including Development Executive in Eastern and Central Europe (1991–1994) and Director of Training (1988–1991).
He is a member of the Board of War on Want NI (Chair) Youthnet (Chair), Platform for Change, NI Foundation, One Small Step, Queens University Senate, Probation Board NI, and various overseas committees for YMCA. On taking up this appointment he will stand down from the Policing Board.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast Agreement. It took over the functions of the Fair Employment Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Council for Racial Equality and Northern Ireland Disability Council. The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Commission, but it is funded by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The Equality Commission is responsible for policing the Statutory Duty on all public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity across a range of areas including religion, political opinion, gender, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and those with and without dependants.
Further information on the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland can be found on its website at
www.equalityni.org