Equity Initiatives
A critical component of MAPC’s mission is to advance equity and cultural competency both internally and in our work throughout the region.
MAPC strives to advance these elements through our organizational policies, practices, and project selection, and through the implementation of MetroFuture, our regional plan for Greater Boston.
What do we mean by "cultural competency?"
Metro Boston Indicators project
Our MetroFuture plan includes goals to eliminate unfair, preventable, and systematic differences among groups, and create more equitable conditions in our region.
The Metro Boston Indicators website provides data and findings from "The State of Equity in Metro Boston," which we released on December 13, 2011.
- Download State of Equity in Metro Boston Executive Summary and Key Findings.
- Contact regionalindicators@mapc.org to learn more about the program.
MAPC Equity Implementation Plan
MAPC is taking action to advance equity and cultural competency in our organization and beyond through implementation of the MAPC Equity Implementation Plan.
Read the full 2011-2012 MAPC Equity Implementation Plan
The plan outlines action items MAPC prioritized in order to advance equity and cultural competency across five key areas:
- Organizational Culture
- Agency Policies, Standards, and Decision-Making
- Administration and Governance
- Service Delivery
- Communications and Community Relations
A progress summary on plan implementation on 2011-2012 and the FY13 Action Plan is forthcoming.
Inquiries about the MAPC Equity Implementation Plan can be directed to Regional Planner Jennifer Erickson at jerickson@mapc.org.
Project highlights
Community Leaders Breakfast Series at MAPC
MAPC's Community Leaders Breakfast Series creates an opportunity for us to meet with diverse leaders in our region and exchange knowledge and ideas.
For our first breakfast, we invited Latino and Brazilian community leaders to learn about the scope of MAPC’s work in the areas of planning and policy, as well as the various ways that MAPC can be available as a resource to the community.
“What’s on the Menu at MAPC,” is a handout that provides a sampling of MAPC’s resources to community leaders.
Contact Emily Torres to learn more about the series.
Accessibility at MAPC
MAPC is committed to improving access to our offices, public meetings and programs. The agency values engaging people from every culture, demographic group, and those with physical limitations in our planning processes.
Learn more about the resources we provide to increase meeting, website, and office accessibility.
Contact Joan Blaustein to learn more about MAPC's efforts in the area of accessibility.
What do we mean by "equity?"
MAPC defines equity as fair access to opportunities for people from all communities, so that everyone in the region can achieve the full potential they envision for themselves. Back to top
What do we mean by "cultural competency?"
MAPC defines cultural competency as the ability to recognize and consider the diverse cultural norms, attitudes, identities and world views of our leaders, staff, and constituents when making decisions about how we interact and engage with stakeholders across the region. Organizations and people who strive towards maintaining a culturally competent practice engage in mindful cross-cultural interaction and carefully consider their own biases and expectations before making inferences about the identities and values of others.>
