General Policy Statement
The ATCUAE is committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the voluntary sector in the UAE by developing, enabling, promoting, and supporting local voluntary action. It seeks to achieve this through advocacy, capacity building activities, enhancing the provision of volunteering opportunities, exchange of information, provision of training and involvement opportunities, and by working in partnership with others.
The ATCUAE recognises that the UAE is socially and culturally diverse, and believes that its work is enriched by the varying qualities and experience brought by UAE residents of different origins. This diversity is recognised, respected, and valued.
The ATCUAE is aware of individual, institutional and cultural discrimination, which can be direct and indirect, through lack of awareness, stereotyping, prejudice, victimisation, harassment, and marginalisation and of the impact this has on discriminated groups or individuals.
The ATCUAE is fully committed to equality of opportunity as a fundamental principle of its work. It is committed to ensuring that no individual or group of people is less favourably treated or denied opportunities because of their background, including: colour, race and ethnic or cultural origin, nationality, religion, faith of belief*, social or economic background, locality, gender, age (however one must be 18 to volunteer as a motorsport official to be covered by insurance), marital status, unrelated diseases or criminal convictions, or association with others who experience the above. Due to the nature of events we do not have many opportunities for disabled people; however we are committed to assist them in finding a suitable role for them either at the club or with our partners.
*The ATCUAE will discriminate on the grounds of a person’s belief where this is contrary to the values of the organisation, as expressed in this policy.
The ATCUAE demonstrates its commitment to this policy by adopting a code of practice, which provides guidelines on the practices and general work of our organisation.
Purpose
This policy applies to all ATCUAE staff and volunteer officials. The purpose of this policy is to enable staff and volunteers and others to act positively in relation to equal opportunities and diversity.
Employment
The ATCUAE ensures equal opportunities in all areas of volunteering and officiating including recruitment and selection, training and development, upgrade, conditions and benefits of services, and health and safety. In particular it aims to ensure there is no unfair discrimination in our practices. The ATCUAE recruits and develops officials on the basis of their suitability for the roles and competencies. All officials will therefore be treated according to their relevant merits and abilities in performing their roles.
Recruitment and Selection
Roles & responsibilities for all motor sport officials are clearly defined and are included in this Marshals Guide that you can download from www.atcuaemarshals.ae.
A licence upgrade system is available to all officials and there are criteria for measuring officials potential, credentials, skills, knowledge and experience.
Training and Professional Development
Training is competency based and training is available for all officials.
A Mentorship program exists to promote learning and development and is available for all officials.
All volunteers will be given equal opportunity and access to training and professional development to enable them to progress both in and outside the UAE. Training will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is non-discriminatory.
Equal opportunities and diversity is an integral part of the training and professional development of all the officials.
Volunteering
The ATCUAE believes that voluntary activity, active community involvement, and self help are an option that should be open to everyone irrespective of their background, and that all have the right to volunteer without experiencing discrimination.
Officials will be offered volunteering opportunities based on competencies, interests, and self development needs. They will not be offered opportunities based on stereotypical roles.
Services
The ATCUAE will provide equal opportunities and access to matters related to health and safety, accommodation, social functions, and other issues associated with official’s welfare.
The ATCUAE will seek to raise awareness on cultural diversity by undertaking research and publishing material, and through the provision of information and advice.
The ATCUAE will conduct activities that do not reinforce gender or racial stereotyping. It will avoid language and illustrations of such stereotypes in its promotional material, publications and communications.
The ATCUAE will develop and promote services that recognise the particular needs of involving UAE nationals.
Wherever possible the provision of food, including halal and vegetarian food, at meetings and training events will reflect the needs and diversity of local communities.
Wherever possible the timing of meetings and training events will take account of Muslim prayer timings / holidays / observance, and volunteers’ travel needs.
Implementation
All ATCUAE staff and volunteers have a personal responsibility for adhering to this policy and the procedures put in place.
The ATCUAE will take account of this policy and code of practice when formulating other organisational policies and procedures.
The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored and amended as, and when, necessary by the UAEMOC. The policy will be reviewed every three years.