"To be a world leader in embracing and harnessing difference; creating
equality of opportunity; and eliminating discrimination"

We aim to:

• work towards the elimination of discrimination and the creation of equality of opportunity in both the FCO’s internal and foreign policy and practice
• ensure FCO  services, functions and policies are accessible and appropriate to meet the needs of all people, regardless of background, in the UK and abroad
• embrace and promote different skills, ways of thinking and working
• ensure the FCO’s workforce reflects the diversity of its stakeholders, in the UK and abroad, and demonstrates best practice in the way it recruits, employs and works with all stakeholders.

Why is diversity so important to the FCO?

The nature of our work is changing. Globalisation is changing the world in which we live. Our work does not exclusively rely on government to government communication but on our ability to engage with others. This means using different skills and techniques which focus on influencing the opinion of the public and the organsisations we work with.

We operate in a global environment

We have over 260 British embassies/consulates in more than 190 countries and over 10,000 local staff.  It’s important for us to reach out to people from different cultures who hold different views. It’s also core to the success of our UK and locally-engaged staff working together for UK interests.

Diversity and equality in our work

Embracing diversity will help us carry out our key Policy Goals, such as championing human rights and equality; and helping to resolve conflicts between groups with different views.

Attracting talented people from all sections of society

So that we can become an organisation that serves all sections of British society, we need to be credible representatives of modern Britain. We can only do this if we are a progressive employer who welcomes and develops talented people, regardless of background.

Productivity and job satisfaction

Diverse teams and flexible working styles lead to more innovation — something which is needed in an increasingly complex world where we need to think more creatively.

We have a legal and moral obligation

It’s wrong and unlawful to discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or age...