This commitment includes, and goes beyond, an undertaking not to discriminate on grounds of race, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, membership of professional bodies and recognised trade unions, marital status, family responsibilities, social class, political or religious beliefs, and extends to students and staff known to be HIV positive.

As well as this anti-discriminatory undertaking, the Institute pursues an active commitment to the achievement of good equal-opportunities practice, in all aspects of the Institute's life. Steps are also taken to ensure that all staff, students and visitors are made aware of this policy by a programme of dissemination.

The Berne Institute will provide reasonable resources to plan, implement and monitor this policy.

The Institute accepts that the success of this policy must be measured by practical outcomes, and not just policy intentions. Monitoring will be carried out, and outcomes regularly reviewed by the Co-Directors.

Applications and admissions patterns for the Institute's courses will be monitored, and steps taken to recruit under-represented groups on to courses.

Student progress will also be monitored and positive steps taken to address any inequalities identified.

The Berne Institute is committed to the elimination of all forms of discriminatory behaviour. Racial, sexual and other forms of harassment will not be tolerated. Any complaint of harassment or other forms of discrimination will be treated seriously and investigated personally by the Co-Directors.

Practical provisions which support the needs of particular groups of students and staff will be reviewed periodically.

Course organisation and teaching materials take account of the needs of different groups. Care is taken to ensure that teaching materials are non-discriminatory, and that they positively reflect the diversity of the Institute's community.

The content of training courses includes specific training on working with minority and disadvantaged groups.

An equal-opportunities statement appears in all The Berne Institute's course brochures as well as in this web site. In addition, the Institute's publicity materials reflect the diversity of its community and show positive images of all groups and sections.

Course materials, as well as publicity, use current non-discriminatory and positive language which includes all sections of the Institute's community.