Equality Champions Awards 2016
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Equality Champions Awards 2016 To celebrate excellence of achievement and promoting equality across the Lothians #ELRECECAwards 20 November 2016 James Watt Centre, Heriot Watt University, Riccarton Edinburgh EH14 4AS Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 A big thanks to our funders..... Brochure production: Reserach & Editorial : Elisabetta / Foysol, Design & Concept: Mizan Courtesy: All ELREC Colleagues www.elrec.org.uk @ELRECUK /ELRECUK Page 00 Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 Programme ELREC Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 To celebrate excellence of achievement and promoting equality across the Lothians 6:30pm Registration, Reception and drinks 9:45pm Announcement of Equality Champions 7:00pm Welcome 10:45pm Multicultural performance 7:15pm Multicultural performance 11:00pm Raffle 7:45pm Address by the guests 11:15pm Vote of thanks 8:15pm Musical performance 8:30pm Dinner Dinner Menu STARTERS SALADS Chicken Tikka Platter: Malai, Murgh, Achari Kachumber salad with sundried tomato Lamb Kobeda Kebab & feta, red chilli chutney, Mint coriander Aloo Tikka & Chana (V) chutney and Imli chutney MAIN COURSE Veg Pilau Rice (V) DESSERT TRIO Lamb Karahi Strawberry Tart Chicken Saag Kheer (In shot glass) Muttar Paneer (V) Equi’s double cream ice cream in belgian Mixed Veg Curry : Aloo, Gobi, Gajar & chocolate cup Peppers (V) DRINKS NAN BASKETS Fruit punch, mineral water, coke, Irn-Bru & Nan Basket: Garlic & Coriander Nan, Rogni Diet Coke on reguest Nan & Tandoodri Scottish Tea & Coffee Catering Partner: www.elrec.org.uk @ELRECUK /ELRECUK Page 01 Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 Performers Dance Ihayami Dance Ihayami is Scotland’s Indian dance company, dedicated to the contemporisation of classical Indian dance. The company challenges ideas about Indian classical dance and creates innovative contemporary work, regularly collaborating with different art forms and media. Dance Ihayami also runs an extensive education and community engagement programme for people of all background, age and ability. The company is based in Edinburgh but works throughout Scotland and beyond. Dance Ihayami has a history of working closely with many cross-cultural disciplines, including western classical music (with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra), Maori dancers (with New Zealand’s Toro Toro and Mika Haka, a collaboration which included a tour of New Zealand), Russian music (with Koshka Gypsy and Jazz band), Middle Eastern music (with Paragon Ensemble), Japanese Dojo drummers (with Mugenkyo), and much more. The company has also collaborated with different organisations including Dance Base (National Centre for Dance); Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Live Music Now and Walk the Plank to name a few. The dancers who will perform at the ELREC Equality Champions’ Gala Dinner 2016 are Gabriela Albornoz, Karen Watts and Kirsten Newel. Move Your Body (MYB) MYB is a group based in Glasgow that performs for charity and private events and festivals.The company does freestyle Bollywood dance, in which most of the dance form includes. The dance is a mix of high intense songs as well as classical melodious songs. The group is nearly 3 years old and performs in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Falkirk. There are 6 gals in the group, all having same passion. The group will perform 2 acts at ELREC Gala Dinner and here is the description of these two dances. 1) In Bollywood there is a special place for soft and melodious songs, from old black and white till today’s colour full Morden love stories, these songs always stole our hearts and express our feelings. Through dance in mix of old and new love songs, here MYB group presenting “RANGMANCH” by Shilpa Sachdeve and Mithu Sri. 2) These days being active, staying fit and doing daily exercise is so important, but life has become too fast and difficult to manage daily workout along with your passion. It says dance is a therapy! How nice would it be if you do something which could mix your workout and passion together! Performed by Saarika Anand, Shilpa Sachdeve, Mithu Sri and Payal Debriy, MYB group presenting “MYB BOLLY FIT” www.elrec.org.uk @ELRECUK /ELRECUK Page 02 Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 Foreword from the Chair I am very pleased to welcome you all, on behalf of ELREC’s Board and staff, to our 2nd Equality Champions Gala Dinner. I would like to congratulate those who have been shortlisted to receive the Equality Champions’ Awards for your commitment towards the promotion of equality, social justice and human rights in Edinburgh and the Lothians. ELREC recognises and acknowledges your hard work and we are privileged to be here tonight to celebrate your important contribution. In its 45 years of existence, ELREC has distinguished itself for its hard work and commitment towards values of equality and human rights and to support the most disadvantaged communities in the area. Since I have been Chair, I have seen ELREC develop, in terms of projects and staff. Right now we have 8 projects and 20 staff members. Our projects cover a wide range of areas, from conservation to youth work, to community engagement and to heritage. In addition, we offer services such as Support and Advice, Third Party Reporting and Equality and Diversity Training. All these years of hard work and dedication have contributed to building a solid reputation for ELREC, which is now well known in the community and among statutory bodies as a centre that provides support for people who have been victim of discrimination and hate crime. Although the UK has gone a long way in fighting every form of discrimination, with regards to the Equality Act 2010, the work of dedicated and passionate individuals is fundamental in advancing human rights and equality in our society and among our communities. This is why we have decided to organise our Equality Champions’ Gala Dinners: to promote equality and ELREC work, but also to give recognition to all those people who have been working hard to guarantee equal rights for all. After a first successful Dinner held in 2015, we are now organising a second one. To celebrate these achievements, this year we have decided to produce a brochure that will present ELREC and its current projects, its staff and Board members and the Equality Champions’ Gala Dinner. The purpose of this brochure is not only to raise awareness on the important work that ELREC has been doing since 1971, but also to showcase the contribution of those who have distinguished themselves for their work towards equality and that ELREC is proud to reward. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to ELREC Board members, staff and volunteers for their hard work and support in the organisation of the Equality Champions’ Gala Dinner and the production of this magazine. I hope you will enjoy reading this brochure and wish to thank you for your continuous support to ELREC and its projects. Foysol Choudhury MBE www.elrec.org.uk @ELRECUK /ELRECUK Page 03 Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 Messages of support Rt. Hon, Donald Wilson Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh I will continue to promote civic inclusion with a wide range of groups and organisations across the city and feel strongly, as Edinburgh’s First Citizen, that everyone should feel a sense of belonging and play a part in this great city. I value the work of ELREC staff, its board members and volunteers as they strive to improve community relations in the city and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their work during the year. Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP First Minister I’m delighted to support this year’s Equality Champions Dinner. It is a celebration of the dedication and achievements of those who have improved the lives of others in our society and I want to thank you all for your contribution to making Scotland fairer. It is important to recognise your many achievements and to recognise the significant contribution our diverse communities make in enriching Scotland socially, culturally and economically. I would like to thank the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council for organising this event and working hard for another year to promote equality and good community relations. The Scottish Government values the contribution of ELREC and the other Regional Equality Councils in Scotland, and the work they do to build stronger links between communities. Everyone needs to play their part if we are to create a more equal society that protects and includes people from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Congratulations to all those nominated on their successes and I look forward to continuing this great collaborative working to further enrich our society www.elrec.org.uk @ELRECUK /ELRECUK Page 04 Equality Champions Awards Gala Dinner 2016 Ruth Davidson MSP Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is a staunch ally of ELREC, one that is committed to advancing our shared goals of inclusivity, tolerance and respect. ‘‘ In May, I had the privilege of being elected as the MSP for Edinburgh Central and, over the coming years, I’m committed to working with you to build on what is already a strong relationship. ELREC is a vital part of our community and the work you do to tackle prejudice and further equality is as important today as it ever has been. I am delighted to be your guest this evening. Thank you for the work you do promoting equality across Edinburgh and the Lothians and many congratulations to the Equality Champions we celebrate tonight”. Kezia Dugdale MSP Leader of the Scottish Labour Party I would like to offer a message of support to ELREC who continue to work towards the elimination of discrimination across Edinburgh and the Lothians. As you know we have seen an increase in reported incidents of hate crime and other types of discrimination over recent weeks and months and now more than ever the work of ELREC, groups and individuals who strive to stand up to discrimination is needed.