The Runnymede Trust is currently looking for written evidence on racial injustice in England. You (or your organisation) now have the opportunity to contribute to a crucial report holding the Government accountable for its legal obligations under a UN Convention. Click here to visit the Runnymede Trust website and make your contribution: https://www.runnymedetrust.org/projects-and-publications/europe/cerd.html
On the 1st March 2021, Race Equality Network co-hosted a roundtable discussion organised by the Runnymede Trust, along with Manchester BME Network and Lancashire BME Network. With over 45 representatives from civil society organisations across West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, the discussion emphasised meaningful action, accountability and equal representation. Considering ‘accountability’ was a key theme for this year’s Race Equality Week campaign in February, it is not surprising that this came up in relation to the Windrush Scandal, health inequalities highlighted by COVID-19 and the intersectional discrimination faced by women from ethnic minority backgrounds (to name just a few of the topics).
To begin the event, Director of the Runnymede Trust Halima Begum outlined the role of the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), ratified in the UK in 1969. ICERD outlines the obligations of the government to eliminate racial discrimination. Following this, Halima outlined the shadow report that is now being coordinated to assess whether this has been implemented.
Through the use of ‘break-out rooms’ on Zoom, the participants of the event were able to form smaller discussion groups and compile thoughts on the main issues contributing to racial discrimination since 2016, and crucially the recommendations that should be put forward to the government in the shadow report.
The event signalled hope and change, even if many of the conversations are ones many of us have heard before. We are motivated to continue to participate in the collating of this information, and look forward to acting upon the meaningful connections that were made during the event with many organisations with the same goal in mind.
The Race Equality Network will be working with over 30 grass-roots community organisations across Bradford District and four key anchor organisations who have been identified as having invaluable reach across communities that are often less visible. These anchors are the Black Health Forum, Girlington Centre, Bangladeshi Youth Organisation and Connecting Roma. We value the commitment of every organisation participating in this project and recognise it wouldn’t be possible without you.
If you have any questions or if you are an organisation who would like to be involved, please email info@raceequalitynetwork.org.uk
