Diverse Solutions to Ride the Recession
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Released Thursday 22 October 2009
DIVERSE SOLUTIONS TO RIDE THE RECESSION
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Joe Montgomery, Director General, Regions and Communities from Communities and Local Government (CLG) will address 120 delegates at ‘Race and the Recession: Be Part of the Solution’, the BME Third Sector’s most significant conference this year, in London on 27 October 2009.
Some ethnic minority groups permanently experience the effects of recession. With twice as many people from ethnic minorities unemployed, BME groups struggle to overcome the systematic discrimination that has created this disproportionate effect. The conference will challenge policy?makers to consider a more targeted and bespoke approach to enable BME organisations to support more vulnerable families.
Vandna Gohil, Director of Voice4Change England the co?hosts of the conference, highlights why it is crucial to talk about the recession and race equality now: “This is an important time for those working with and for BME communities to help shape the agenda and influence policies to ensure that the most disadvantaged and marginalised in our society are not further excluded. Race and race equality is diminishing and the fragile gains made since the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry are at risk”.
Jeremy Crook OBE, Director of Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG), conference co?hosts, points out, “The BME third and private sectors make a vital difference to the lives and life chances of many BME people. BME people want to be part of policy formulation, which to date has been exclusively conducted without BME ideas and solutions. At this national conference we will urge local and central government to value and respect the contribution BME service providers, businesses and support groups make in helping to inspire communities and develop opportunities. As a country we cannot afford to continue ignoring the commitment and know?how in BME communities”.
The six workshops on the day will encourage deeper engagement with key issues for the BME third sector and will be a further opportunity for delegates to share their experiences and concerns to influence the sector’s response to the issues. The issues on the table will be the role of the local authority in empowering local communities, employment, racism and building cohesion, education and BME young people, healthy communities, and social enterprise.
The conference will host a bustling marketplace with exhibitors from funding bodies, social enterprises and key regional and national infrastructure organisations including Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC), NAVCA, Community Development Exchange (CDX), CCLA, Serco, Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC), UK Cooperatives, NAWEF, Tropical Connections, Performance Improvement, Media Trust and NCVO.
Voice4Change England will launch its new study on inspirational responses to the recession from the BME third sector. The study presents a range of case studies that tell stories of resilience at a time when demand on services is at its highest, with dwindling access to resources and funding. Delegates will be able to subscribe to the new BTEG quarterly publication Race and Regeneration on the day.
Sanjiv Lingayah, whose doctoral research on narratives from multi?ethnic Britain is supported by Voice4Change England will summarise key learning for the sector at the end of the day.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
About the Conference
The ‘Race and the Recession’ conference is hosted by Voice4Change England and Black Training and Enterprise Group, in association with NAVCA. The event is supported by the Office of the Third Sector, CLG, Serco and Sporting Equals. The conference is at London’s RichMix on Bethnal Green Road from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, 27 October 2009.
About Voice4Change England (V4CE)
Voice4Change England (V4CE) was established in 2006 as a partnership of national and regional organisations that speaks for the interests of the BME Third sector at local, regional and national levels. It is dedicated to strengthening the BME Third Sector as a positive force for change.
It aims to provide a co?ordinated policy voice for BME groups and organisations and support them to thrive. It promotes cooperation between the BME Third Sector and government by increasing understanding of the policy concerns of the sector to develop the ability of the sector to undertake its work effectively.
About Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG)
Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) is a national organisation with a successful track record in policy advice and advocacy for BME service providers and represents them on government advisory groups and seeks in particular to ensure fair access and outcomes for black and minority ethnic communities in employment, education, training and enterprise. BTEG currently supports over 600 third sector organisations through its networks and also provides technical assistance support for voluntary and community organisations and public bodies.
ENDS
For further information please contact Nandini Das (Networks & Communications Officer, Voice4Change England) on 020 7843 6131.
