Released: 24th October 2007.
BME Third Sector turns up the policy voice volume
A bold prediction of a brighter future for the Black and Minority Ethnic communities was made at the official launch held at the House of Commons today (Wednesday 24th October) of Voice4Change England, the new national voice for the BME Third Sector.
“Today we can be a lot more confident that the organisations working in BME communities have an effective input into government policy making. The establishment of the Voice4Change England offers policymakers the opportunity to engage and understand the impacts of policy on BME communities. Each of our Partners is steeped in the BME sector and this allows for an informed intellectual discussion about tackling the big issues facing BME communities today,” said Voice4Change England Chair Caryl Agard.
Mr Agard added: “Voice4Change England has already been active in responding to various Government consultations and has been particularly influential in shaping the debate around the response to the Commission for Integration and Cohesion’s call that single identity group funding to be curtailed. Our successful lobbying on this issue demonstrates that Voice4Change England can make a difference and in the future we will enhance our advocacy function on further policy changes to improve the outcomes for BME communities.”
Funded by the Office of the Third Sector, Voice4Change England is a unique partnership bringing together national BME organisations and the BME Networks in the English regions. Many of the attendees were participants in a 2005 summit of BME organisations that concluded with a call for the creation of a national voice to represent the BME Third Sector in policy-making.
At the launch two key Voice4Change England publications will be released.
Bridge the Gap, What is known about the BME Third Sector in England reveals that there is no single source of intelligence for the BME Third Sector because there is no industry standard on the definition to work to. Though, the research findings suggest that the BME Third Sector is larger than previously estimated. The publication notes that in the absence of data being collected then the BME Third Sector cannot enhance its role in public policy formulation until it can evidence what work is happening nationally and regionally. Voice4Change England is calling for funding to be provided to develop a central intelligence bank that leads to more comprehensive knowledge about the contribution the BME Third Sector is making to the social and economic well being of communities.
Building a Thriving BME Third Sector, Declaration of Intent sets out thestrategic goals and future direction of travel for Voice4Change England for the next two years. The declaration position is the result of collaboration and deliberative discussion amongst the partners of Voice4Change England. It outlines how the Partnership will look to influence decision making, participate in the planning and management of Third Sector initiatives, and seek resources for building the capacity to strengthen the BME Third Sector.
Speaking at the launch Voice4Change England Director Vandna Gohil said: “There is an overwhelming case for the under-resourced capacity of the BME Third Sector which has not been able to do the things that are required of it because more investment is needed in skills, capacity building and funding to help them represent the interests of BME communities more effectively and go forward.”
Adding: “Voice4Change England will promote the value and importance of the BME Third Sector’s role in civil society. But more support is needed to ensure it thrives and continues to reach and deliver services to disadvantaged communities.”
Other speakers at the launch include: Office of the Third Sector Minster Phil Hope MP, and Alun Michael MP, chair of the Third Sector Network. In addition, two Partners of Voice4Change England will speak the benefits of the new organisation to their work. These are Naheed Arshad Mather, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber BME Panel, and Rupert Daniel, CEO for the Black South West Network.