Celebrating Action
There has been a range of projects, research and other organisational or
local scale initiatives connected to the themes of equality, diversity and
inclusion over the years. More recently it has been noticeable the number
of new initiatives emerging which are led by people within previously
underserved communities, with the aim of inspiring and connecting people
with shared identities to get into the outdoors.
Many public bodies and sports governing / awarding bodies are committing
to change too. The outdoor media are featuring more diverse voices and
imagery. Partnerships are forming. These actions are worth celebrating but
it's vital to acknowledge that real and positive EDI shifts across the
sector also require genuine strategic change which sustain over time. This
is at the heart of INclusivity in the OUTdoors plans for Phase 2.
In addition to the 2021 Raising Our Game Webinar Series, other recent
larger scale collaborative initiatives have included:
-
The Outsiders Summit (organised by Phil Young, The Outsiders Project and
Soraya Abdel-Hadi, All the Elements. Including invited representatives
from Colour Up, Black Trail Runners, Swim Unity, We Go Outside Too, MTB
Colour Collective, Swim England, British Cycling and Mountain Training.
Supported by Patagonia and HF Holidays.)
-
Your Movement Matters
(Association of British Climbing Walls, British Mountaineering Council,
Camping and Caravanning Club, National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes,
Mountain Training, Outdoor Industries Association, Plas y Brenin, The
Ramblers ).
-
Changing Landscapes – Actioning Change
Symposium (Backbone CIC, NatureScot, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
National Park, Cairngorms National Park).
-
Generation Green
(Access Unlimited coalition - YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound
Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council and the 10 English
National Parks).
One project can make a positive difference for some, but one project won’t
fix the problem. If we are to achieve a culture of inclusion in outdoor
learning, and in the wider outdoor sector, future projects must be
collaborative, sustained, and grounded in a desire for real change. The
field must continue to celebrate our successes and promote all the groups,
projects and initiatives that are making a difference.