No. 334

JUNE Bulletin 2003 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY

A spring launch for Complementing Teachers On the 1st of May Complementing Teachers: A Practical Guide to Promoting Race Equality in Schools, was appropriately launched at the Institute of Education, London. Jagdish Gundara at the IoE’s International Centre for Intercultural Studies hosted the event, which was attended by guests that included many of the contributors to the publication.The Runnymede Team was out in force and Granada Learning, the publishers, were well represented.The highlight of the launch was provided by pupils from Rockmount Primary School, Upper Norwood who, under the guidance of school staff and with the unplanned participation of some of the guests, played out an exercise from the Key Stage 1 lesson ‘Staying Afloat’. (We can confidently report that no adults were harmed in the process.)

Jagdish Gundara speaks at the launch event; and Rockmount Primary pupils are pictured with Runnymede and Rockmount staff (LÐR): Michelynn Laflèche, Nicola Rollock, Elizabeth Mazzola (Rockmount’s Head), Rob Berkeley and Paul Thomas (Rockmount’s Deputy Head).

ISSN: 1476-363X RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 1 Introduction to the launch from Michelynn Laflèche At the launch of Complementing Teachers, after welcoming environment in which all children realise their full potential and everyone to an event it was an honour for us to be are able to relate to each other in a spirit of equality and mutual holding, Runnymede’s Director Michelynn Laflèche respect. It involves appropriate changes in the curriculum, expressed warm thanks to our hosts at the Institute of methods of teaching, organisation of the school, and its overall Education. Jagdish Gundara and the International discipline and ethos … if followed widely, its recommendations Centre for Intercultural Studies had been kind should help make the UK a cohesive and relaxed enough to find both time and space for the event at multicultural society. the Institute, and our publishers, Granada Learning, had catered the evening, and had also given us much Michelynn also spoke of how the impetus of the support and encouragement in bringing the project work carried out around Complementing Teachers to fruition. is going to be maintained: Celebrating the book itself, which has been In terms of the future, it is not our intention almost 2 years in the making and involved simply to launch this book and leave it.We over 80 contributors, many of them practising are now developing a seminar series that will teachers, Michelynn said: be appropriate for INSET training to help It is a great achievement in our view – trying schools and teachers get the most out of this to coordinate the work for this publication has handbook.The pilot series, being created and run in been a challenging and an invigorating process, but collaboration with NASUWT, will be launched before we are sure that it is this kind of collaboration that produces the end of this term. By September 2003 we will have a the best work and we are honoured that so many of you well-developed seminar that we will be happy to roll out to were willing to work with us on this project. any school and/or group of teachers, youth workers or other Complementing Teachers was created: educationists interested in looking more closely at how to 1. to update and replace an earlier Runnymede use this book. Nicola is leading on that, so do contact her at publication, Equality Assurance in Schools; the Runnymede offices. 2. to respond to one of the recommendations of the Parekh Report on the Future of Multi-Ethnic In her closing remarks Michelynn acknowledged the help of Britain; Runnymede’s funders: 3. to help schools meet the requirements of the RRAA Runnymede is an independent organisation and relies on the 2000; generosity of its funders and supporters.We could not have 4. and to help schools plan and deliver an inclusive accomplished this work without them. In particular, for this curriculum. project we received support from BCT, PHF and NASUWT, It promotes education and achievement for all, particularly and I should like to acknowledge them here. those who traditionally have been excluded from or marginalised in some mainstream educational establishments. Also speaking at the launch of Complementing Teachers, Nicola It is also intended to help all pupils prepare for life in a Rollock said: culturally diverse society. I joined Runnymede at the end of 2001 to take up this project The practical issue of promoting race equality through the that had been initiated by Linda Appiah during her time at curriculum is challenging but it is clearly important both Runnymede.Working on Complementing Teachers has not only legally and morally, and there is no absolute way in which to given me a first-hand insight into the world of book design, achieve this.Through this handbook, we have tried to publishing and marketing but has supported my own doctoral provide teachers and education practitioners with examples research, also in the area of education and race equality. across all areas of the curriculum as a starting point from The book as it stands here today is a result of the hard work which to explore the key issues of excellence, citizenship and and commitment of many people. I would in particular like identity to promote equality. to thank the teachers involved in the writing of Section B of Indeed, these four concepts were the starting point for us the book who spent considerable time researching their and what we hope we have achieved is to weave them contributions. I would also like to thank those listed below through the examples we, collectively that is, have provided for their input and support throughout. in this text. Complementing Teachers advocates a curriculum which: • E = prioritises equality of opportunity and access Steering Committee: Kate Gavron, Runnymede Trustee • e = ensures excellence for all Steve Brace, (then) Commonwealth Institute • i = supports the development of cultural and John Brown, QCA personal identities Sonja Hall, CRE • C = prepares pupils for citizenship Chris Henshaw, Barnet LEA Of course this handbook was not created in isolation. Rashida Sharif, (then) OFSTED There are educationists and practitioners who have made Additional Support to the Steering Committee: invaluable contributions to promoting race equality over Linda Appiah, Lewisham LEA more than three decades – and many of them are here Ros Spry, Runnymede’s Publications Editor tonight! And Runnymede itself, in 1993, published Equality Editorial group: General thanks to those who worked closely with us and to all the Assurance in Schools, a source from which Complementing writing teams (see p. 195 of the book). Teachers has been able to draw inspiration in order to create The team at Granada Learning and Letts Educational: new material for the 2000s. Nigel Ward, Managing Director, Granada Learning Our new handbook is intended to build on this rich Andrew Thraves, Publishing Director Schools, Letts Educational history to promote race equality and to ensure that it Sally Moon and her team at Sally Moon Publishing Services penetrates to the core of all classroom practice.As Professor Rebecca Jones, Marketing at Granada Learning Parekh, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Multi- Catherine Lane, Press/PR at Granada Learning Ethnic Britain, says in his foreword to Complementing Teachers: At Runnymede: Promoting race equality is not just a question of removing Rob Berkeley, Filiz Caran, Sarah Isal, Qaisra Khan (Michelynn, Ros and Kate already mentioned above) obvious forms of discrimination but also of creating an

2 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Welcoming a whole new resource On May Day, at the Institute of Education, London, the much-awaited launch took place for Complementing Teachers: A Practical Guide to Promoting Race Equality in Schools.This event was seen as the welcome culmination of 2 years of ongoing work from a wealth of experts in the LAUNCH OF fields of education and race equality. Nicola Rollock recounts the COMPLEMENTING book’s history and looks to the future of this new publication for TEACHERS the classroom. 1 Equality Assurance Background to the book Gavron). This group made final to the in Schools: Quality, Complementing Teachers was editorial decisions regarding the overall Identity, Society – a written to replace Runnymede’s book and its content. It met at appearance and design of the handbook for successful Equality Assurance in least every 3 months and new publication.The aim was for action planning and Schools.1 Significantly, many of the maintained regular email contact an accessible, photocopy-friendly school effectiveness, issues regarding identity, society to offer ongoing advice and publication that teachers would to give the book and quality advocated in Equality support. be able to pick up and use its full title, was Assurance remain relevant today. The Editorial Teacher group was frequently, with a CD-Rom originally published However, the numerous and made up of a set of professionals attached to enable teachers in 1993, and crucial amendments to the Race (practising teachers and within a school to download reprinted six times Relations Act brought about as a academics) who led the writing given pages at their convenience. in its lifetime. result of the inquiry into the for their subject area of Runnymede worked closely murder of Stephen Lawrence, specialism. This is represented by with Sally Moon, of Sally Moon along with developments in Section B of the new publication. Publishing Services, to address Education legislation, meant that Runnymede’s June 2002 Bulletin each of the aforementioned extensive changes needed to be provides an account of the issues in relation to the colour, made to a publication now a writing day held in April of the font size and text layout of the decade old. same year, which brought book.The book cover and ‘E’ together members of this team composite, which Runnymede has How the content came together to begin the writing process for affectionately named Evelyn An initial meeting attended by this section. (applicable to both sexes), were academics, policy-makers, local Each team within the Editorial designed by Natalie Rollock and government and other interested group was further supported by a contribute to the clean, parties to discuss the idea of Virtual Editorial Group to whom contemporary style of the developing a new book took they could turn for additional handbook.The Evelyn symbol is place at the Commonwealth assistance and ideas regarding central to the approach and Institute during June 2001. From their subject area. content of the book, and is in fact the broad pool of those keen to In addition there were a composed from the first letters of contribute to the new book number of individuals who the book’s key themes of Equality, emerged a number of contributed to chapters in Excellence, Identities and committees, each with varying Sections A and C of the book. Citizenship (p.3). Readers will responsibilities based on notice that Evelyn sits in the members’ time and area of Design background to the text expertise.The names and Considerable attention was given throughout the entire book. organisations of those who lent their support are comprehensively detailed in the acknowledgements section of the new book; however, in order to give some indication of the numbers involved, it is worth Members of the briefly describing the remits of Granada the various committees: Publishing team with Nicola, The Steering Committee Michelynn, comprised 8 people (including Jagdish and (2nd Nicola Rollock, Michelynn Laflèche, from RHS) Director of the Runnymede Trust, Natalie Rollock and Runnymede Trustee Kate who designed the book’s cover

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 3 Challenges, consultation and Intercultural Studies, was the first publication final celebration public opportunity for many of and to Putting together a handbook of the contributors to examine the ensure that it this nature presents many results of their hard work. In is widely challenges. Not only were there addition to the writers disseminated. extensive debates about themselves, representatives from Initial terminology and appropriate use Granada Learning, including the feedback LAUNCH OF of language, a sensitive yet Managing Director Nigel Ward, from COMPLEMENTING important issue in the field of staff from the DfES and members teachers and TEACHERS race, but also the task of editing of the press were in attendance. LEA staff has scripts from such a large and The evening was not only a been extremely positive, with diverse group of experts was means of formally thanking those comments reflecting, for example, clearly an undertaking of some who have supported Runnymede the book’s accessibility, the scale and took many months of in this venture, usefulness of having reading and revision to the text. but also an all the key stages Further refinement of the opportunity to represented, and the content was carried out following witness pupils fact that it helpfully an extensive from Rockmount addresses a much- consultation Primary School, neglected area. process, which Upper Norwood A training took place present one of programme is also towards the end the activities being developed, with of 2002, with from the book the support of the the new year under the guidance of their deputy NASUWT, on how to effectively characterised by headteacher, Paul Thomas (see use the book. Pilot sessions will a cycle of receiving and closely opposite). take place during the remainder of inspecting the final proofs. This proved to be a very this term, with the series being entertaining and engaging display, launched at the start of the new Publication and launch which the pupils successfully academic year.2 2 ‘Achieving Race Complementing Teachers: A Practical carried out with support from Equality in Guide to Promoting Race Equality in some (relatively unprepared) adult Renewed thanks Schools: A Schools was officially published on participants who included Maud Runnymede would like to thank Professional Monday 14 April 2003. Blair and Chris those involved in the production Development Printed copies arrived Gaine. Following the of Complementing Teachers for Course for at the Runnymede launch, pupils were their time, support and Teachers’ runs as a office amid an presented with commitment during the last 2 pilot course on 20 atmosphere of certificates to thank years.We hope that this June (primary subdued apprehension. them for their hard publication makes a significant level) and 30 June After all, this was a work and contribution to the teaching and (secondary level) moment of reckoning, contribution to the learning that takes place within at the NASUWT’s a moment when the evening. and outside of classrooms across Hillscourt outcome of all the the country, and encourages Educational hard work, meetings, coordination, What happens next? debate in the often-masked area Centre in management and research would Nicola Rollock is working with of race and race equality to Birmingham. For be inspected by the rest of the the Granada Learning PR and ultimately help make the UK ‘a more information Runnymede team and, indeed, a marketing team to respond to cohesive and relaxed multicultural on this and follow- wider public. As it turned out, the the demand for the new society’.3 ❑ up courses compliments were many and the contact Nicola anxiety, though understandable, Complementing Teachers: Rollock at had been unnecessary. A Practical Guide to Promoting Race Equality in Schools Runnymede. The launch, kindly hosted by Jagdish Gundara and the By Granada Learning for The Runnymede Trust Pp 216 3 Bhikhu Parekh in International Centre for ISBN: 184085 9121 The Future of Price: £30 (+VAT) includes free CD-Rom Multi-Ethnic Britain: Complementing Teachers is available from Granada Learning The Parekh Report [phone free on: 0800 216 592, visit (London: Profile www.letts-education.com or email [email protected]] Books for the A 10% discount is applicable to orders of 100+ copies Runnymede Trust, A free Complementing Teachers poster will be included in your order. 2000). This offer applies for a limited period only.

4 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Pupils from Rockmount Primary School, Upper Norwood, were delighted to come along and help the Runnymede Trust launch their new resource for teachers – Complementing Teachers: A Practical Guide to Promoting Race Equality in Schools. Paul Thomas, Deputy Head of LAUNCH OF COMPLEMENTING Rockmount Primary, describes how his pupils prepared TEACHERS for and demonstrated how to ‘stay afloat’ on the day. Nicola Rollock Nine Year 6 children interpreted a Key Stage 1 lesson At predetermined is Runnymede’s ‘Staying Afloat’ from the Physical Education section points, each team had to pick up and Research and of the book, which was then adapted to suit the older read information cards listing facts about some of the Policy Analyst children.This activity had been chosen to countries that the children had researched over the for Education demonstrate some of the key principles of the book Easter break.When each team reached the other side in a relatively short space of time. of the room successfully, they were asked questions As background preparation for the lesson, the about what they had read, and the team with the children had spent some of their Easter break most correct answers was the winner. researching a project on a country of their choice, The pupils really enjoyed this activity.They had which they would later be quizzed on as part of the the opportunity to talk about their own country of activity itself. (These projects are going to be used origin, if they chose, and some had told stories about within the teacher professional development sessions their parents and grandparents.This lesson clearly has that Runnymede will be running with the cross-curricular possibilities and would be a good way NASUWT.) to finish off a project on countries around the world On the evening, the children were divided into or a comparison of two continents. three teams.Three children and a member of the The book was definitely accessible, helpful, easy to audience in each team had to get from one side of the follow and, though the lesson plans and activities are hall to the other without touching the floor, using listed by key stage, it was easy to take an idea for a resources such as trays and cricket bats.This activity younger group of pupils and adapt it for this age encourages teamwork, cooperation and forward group. Rockmount is planning to incorporate the planning. It can be made more or less difficult by book as part of its curriculum development for the juggling with the number of resources provided. new academic year.

Nicola Rollock (Bonneville) and Rob Berkeley (Rockmount) are govenors of two culturally diverse London primary schools that are already discussing ways of incorporating many of the book’s ideas into their practice. Rockmount Primary School Bonneville Primary School Upper Norwood Clapham 542 pupils on roll 382 pupils on roll Headteacher: Elizabeth Mazzola Headteacher: Cherry Edwards

Launch photos are by Rod Leon

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 5 The Challenge of a Black Regional Network Beverley Prevatt-Goldstein talks about how BECON (the black COMMUNITY minority ethnic community organisations network), is working hard to COHESION persuade mainstream organisations that a black perspective should be built into all decision-making. BECON’s Director BECON, a Black Regional Network outlined in The Future of Multi-Ethnic contact with BECON and a few represents ethnic in the North-East of England, is one Britain: ‘all citizens are of intrinsically short-term partnerships have minorities on the of nine regional networks equal value and all should be able developed. North East established by the Active to participate in decisions that In a presentation to the Lesbian, Assembly Communities Unit (Home Office) affect them’.1 But in 2001 when Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered since 1999. BECON became operational there Conference in 2002 BECON Each network became functional appeared to be little structure and spoke of the demoralising and at a different date during these last groundwork on which to build. time-consuming process of 4 years, and has developed BECON therefore had to create its knocking on closed doors or doors approaches that differ with the own route map.With its first allies, that allowed entry to the waiting conditions in each region.These can the Community Development Team room only, and suggested that reflect, for example, the density of in Government Office, North-East, ‘resistance to change and the black population, the number of BECON sought to: prejudice/racism’ might be the established black voluntary and • Obtain a space in regional fora. reasons for the barriers. From its community groups, whether This was not easily achieved. current position ‘in the waiting BECON is perceived as Regional fora preferred other, room’ this seems still to be the competition by local and sub- more familiar, figures despite case. regional black networks, and the their more limited regional BECON cannot ethically ability of statutory and white-led coverage, disseminating capacity represent or advocate on behalf of voluntary networks to engage on and less representative role. a network without ongoing equal terms with a black regional There was a discomfort with communication with that network network. However, there is a this new player which had to and without enabling it to common agenda – ‘giving voice to prove its right to a place at the represent itself. BECON therefore the Black Sector’ – and table. sought to: consequently common challenges. • Begin a dialogue with new • Begin a dialogue with the local BECON’s aims – ‘to enable initiatives such as the Local BME groups about regional policy and practice to be Strategic Partnerships and developments and influenced by the views of BME Community Networks. Again, opportunities such as new 1 Bhikhu Parekh in: (black minority ethnic) voluntary partnerships proved hesitant networks, sources of funding CMEB (2000) The and community groups and their with only 2 of the 14 local and regional changes, offering Future of Multi- communities and to better meet strategic partnerships initially continual information through Ethnic Britain:The their needs’ – appear to meet responding to offers to assist newsletters and network Parekh Report. legislation such as the Race them in fulfilling their meetings.The challenges here London: Profile Relations Amendment Act (2000), responsibility to be inclusive. were two-fold.The majority of Books for the government policy as reflected in Two years on, through groups were severely under- Runnymede Trust, the guidelines for local strategic persistence and alliances, BECON resourced and did not have the p. 234. partnerships, and good practice as has achieved much. It now has capacity to engage consistently regular meetings with senior in anything beyond day-to-day BECON became operational in 2001 following a officers in the Regional Assembly, local issues, but were feasibility study and preliminary work carried out by Government Office and the understandably concerned at a steering group of voluntary sector agencies and Regional Development Agency, is what might become another activists. From its beginnings, with 2 staff members, part of their consultation network layer between them and 40 network organisations and one funder (Active and is engaged in developing decision-making. Communities Unit, Home Office) it has grown into memoranda for working together, • Begin a process of encouraging an organisation with 8 staff members, 120 network though the equality of ‘partnership’ direct and accountable members and a range of funders (Active working remains debatable.While representation through capacity- Communities Unit, Community Fund, Children there is still suspicion amongst sub- building schemes for BME Fund, Sport England and One North East [the Regional Development Agency]). regional and local partnerships a individuals such as Community handful of these have initiated Participation Training. So far,

6 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 BECON has been most direction by BME groups. enable equal participation, often successful in enabling BME The challenge faced by BECON recommending the Chapter on individuals to make progress in is the historical one for all voluntary Organisational Change in The Future developing their participation organisations: how to remain an of Multi-Ethnic Britain.2 But power is and representation skills and initiator, how to challenge the not easily shared and the challenge knowledge.The challenge for mainstream to provide appropriate continues. Nevertheless, by the established representatives services rather than allow engaging with BECON – ‘a black COMMUNITY to use open channels of organisations to dump their network of black organisations’ – COHESION dissemination, and for responsibility on short-term funded mainstream organisations are organisations to work with and and marginalised organisations. assisted in confronting the need not Beverley Prevatt support newer representatives, However, this is set in the wider merely to aspire to equality and Goldstein has is ongoing. context of the debate on whether diversity as distinct goals, but to worked extensively in the fields of In engaging with the network, specialist ‘ethnic’ organizations are engage with ‘the politics of social work BECON began to take on local still appropriate, a debate which has recognition alongside the struggle practice, social work education, 3 ❑ capacity-building, in addition to its been intensified by the focus on for equality and racial justice’. community regional and strategic role, since: ‘community cohesion’.The development and training and • organisations are unable to interpretation of community BECON’s aims for the next 5 consultancy. She is engage in regional issues cohesion which seeks to an active researcher years, following its rapid and her 20 without the capacity to marginalise black-led organisations expansion, centre on publications include adequately manage their local has the potential to seriously consolidation as a quality articles and chapters on and organisational issues; and challenge the existence and mission organisation and network.This will identity, black • a black regional organisation’s of BECON and other black-led involve development of its perspectives, internal and external feminism, and credibility with local BME organisations, leaving black citizens communication systems, and evaluation of organisations depends not only as unequal members of an initiatives in expansion of its partnership voluntary on its status with white ‘integrated society’. network so that it can operate at organisations and organisations but on whether it BECON is a black organisation a strategic level across the whole social work education. From can deliver on the local issues working to develop other black region while maintaining an advisory and monitoring role for 1996 to 2001 she that matter, such as access to organisations so that their directed a Social operational activities at local and Work programme funding, to management training, members can participate equally in sub-regional levels. It will also at Durham and support in tackling racial influencing mainstream provision, work towards facilitating network University. In 2001 she became harassment in ways that value thus increasing a community members in their direct Director of all black ethnicities (including cohesion based on equality and representation of the BME BECON and a communities, helping them to member of the asylum seekers and refugee) inclusion. Additionally, BECON participate more fully in civic and General Social Care and all areas of the region. recognises that mainstream Council, the economic activities, and decision- regulatory body for BECON therefore offered organisations need to change to making at every level. Key to the social care in funding workshops and business enable equal participation at the development of these aims are England. management training throughout centre of decision-making. BECON, the activities of maintaining a vibrant network, building capacity 2 Op cit. note 1, pp. the region while attempting to therefore, in its ongoing relationship in partnership with others, and 279–95. bridge the operational and strategic with organisations such as working positively with all priorities by: Government Office, District organisations so that they listen 3 Bhikhu Parekh, op cit. note 1, p. 33. • researching the most Councils, Local Strategic to the voices of BME communities. appropriate ways of meeting Partnerships and Trades Unions, BECON skills gaps (training and discusses how they Community employing BME participatory need to Champions train researchers) and disseminating on the `Becoming this information among training Changemakers’ programme providers; • devising a funding strategy with other regional organisations and funders and implementing it jointly; • working with local development agencies to identify how their services could be made more accessible; • implementing specific projects (business development, physical activities) which work with partners to improve their funding of, delivery to and

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 7 North of England Refugee Service Established in 1989, the North of England Refugee Service is an SOCIAL independent and charitable organisation which exists to meet the INCLUSION needs and promote the interests of asylum seekers and refugees who have arrived or have settled in the North of Sead Masic, England. Sead Masic, its Policy and Development Coordinator, writes NERS’s Policy about how the organisation has developed significantly during the last 5 years. and Development NERS (the North of England Refugee Service) acts in existence for almost 3500 years and can be found, Co-ordinator, as an agent of positive change in order to improve differently interpreted, in many ancient societies. A can be the everyday life conditions of asylum seekers and Hittite King in the second millennium BC declared: contacted at: refugees, and to promote social inclusion by North of facilitating their integration and equal participation ‘Concerning a refugee, I affirm on oath the England within British society. Since April 2000 NERS has following: when a refugee comes from your land Refugee been operating the One Stop Shop Service contract into mine he will not be returned to you.To return a Service in the Northeast.This service is available to all refugee from the land of the Hittites is not right.’ 2 Jesmond asylum seekers who are entitled to support from the Road West Home Office National Asylum Support Service In more modern times, the member nations of Newcastle (NASS), which was established under the the European Union, especially those with colonial upon Tyne Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. backgrounds, have traditionally welcomed immigrants. NE2 4PQ The UK, France and the Netherlands have all Background to Asylum received significant numbers of people from the An ‘asylum seeker’ is a person who requests refugee Commonwealth, Algeria and the Dutch Antilles, status in another state, usually on the grounds that respectively.Today, the UK remains proud of its he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution in record on immigration, to which it can refer as far their home country or believes their life or liberty is back as the 18th century, when London already threatened by armed conflict or violence. Since the enjoyed a cosmopolitan populace. 1980s more than five million people have submitted requests for such a refugee status in Western The Geneva Convention Europe, North America, Japan and Australasia.With The cornerstone of international refugee protection the era of open immigration in the post-World War is the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 II years now a distant memory, such large Protocol.The Geneva Convention was designed as a movements of refugees have set off a backlash response to the mass migration flows Europe amongst traditional receiving states and continents. witnessed in the immediate aftermath of World War But the concept of asylum is not new. It has been II.With European displacement firmly in its mind, the Geneva Convention originally contained a geographical and historical clause, which NERS Data automatically banned people from certain countries NERS is a regional organisation and covers the counties of Northumberland,Tyne from claiming asylum.The 1967 Protocol removed and Wear, Cumbria, Durham and Tees Valley through 5 offices currently located in these restrictions and allowed people from any Middlesbrough, Sunderland,Wallsend and Newcastle upon Tyne (2). country to claim asylum.The Convention provides It employs 42 people with backgrounds that span a range of occupations: housing protection to those who have: officers, doctors, journalists, community development workers, former Red Cross workers, nurses, vets, social workers, credit co-op workers, graduate accountants and students. ‘a well founded fear of being persecuted for NERS’s work puts it into close touch with many types of organisation, both local reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership and national, as it deals with accommodation providers (council and private housing), of a particular social group or political opinion …’. local authorities in our catchment area (social services departments in particular), local churches, benefits agencies, schools and colleges, medical professionals, a number of funding organisations and trusts, the Police and other partners, organisations and It is important to recognise that the Convention agencies which are involved in working with refugees and asylum seekers. does not make the claiming of asylum an individual Specific agencies with whom NERS works closely include: Banks of the Wear, right.The granting of asylum has always been (and BECON – the Black Ethnic Minority Community Organisations Network, Legal remains) the right of a state. However, the universal Services Commission, the National Asylum Support Service, North East Consortium recognition of asylum by states can be viewed as for Asylum Support Services, Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, PMS (Personal Medical Services), Refugee Action, Refugee Council, Refugee Integration implicitly conceding to an individual the right to claim Unit (Home Office), and the Tyne and Wear Partnership. asylum.

8 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Recognition of Needs NERS recognises refugees to be a How NERS has developed specific-needs group, requiring Over the last 5 years NERS has significantly grown into the biggest refugee assisting specialised support and/or organisation in the Northeast. In 1997 there were just 6–7 employees.When the assistance. Refugees leave their Government introduced the dispersal system asylum seekers and refugees were sent countries because of threats to their from the south to be accommodated in the northeast of England and the existing life and freedom on account of ‘race, number of workers was unable to cope with such a number of newly arrived clients. NERS signed a One Stop Shop contract with the Refugee Council and employed religion, nationality, membership of a staff to deal with day-to-day enquiries. At the same time services were developed in SOCIAL particular social group or political line with PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations), and INCLUSION opinion’, or because of civil strife, as a result of the quality services provided, NERS has achieved the Quality Mark warfare, or violation of their human given by the Legal Services Commission. rights. Protection is the main reason behind the decision of refugees to seek asylum in the UK. Asylum Research Activities and Reports seekers have little psychological The North of England Refugee Service is committed to remaining up-to-date and informed on all refugee and immigration issues. Part of NERS’s work involves commissioning and participating in a wide range of research preparation regarding the exile initiatives. Here are brief descriptions of its most recent research projects as well as other asylum seeker/refugee process, its implications, nor even the research related work to which NERS has contributed. nature of the host country’s society. Asylum Seekers: Meeting Their Healthcare Needs They often lack language skills to A new report by the BMA’s Board of Science and Education states that the health of asylum seekers may access services and are unfamiliar actually get worse after entry to the UK and calls on the Government to allocate sufficient funding and with the structure of social welfare implement effective policies to ensure that the health of this minority group does not deteriorate in the UK. The report claims that from the point of entry to the UK not enough is being done to safeguard the health of asylum provision in the UK, or their rights as seekers. Basic medical testing does not routinely take place which means tuberculosis (TB) often goes asylum seekers. Most importantly, undiagnosed, those suffering from psychological affects of torture are not always referred to specialist centres and the effects of their pre-arrival unaccompanied children are not given appropriate vaccinations and immunisations. experiences can seriously The report recommends that: • Dispersal policy should be effectively managed so asylum seekers receive adequate accommodation compromise their ability to easily and are not moved from place to place learn new social norms, develop • Funding for asylum seekers should not come from existing budgets for GPs, as this will have a knock- English language and vocational skills on effect on the healthcare provision of the resident population. New money should be made and independently meet their needs. available to GP’s • Children should be educated within the local community to improve integration and also their Indeed, a great proportion of the general wellbeing refugee population arriving in the • Asylum seekers should not generally be held in detention, especially families and children, as in many UK are seriously traumatised after instances this can remind torture victims of their experiences and compound their psychological having been tortured and/or torment incarcerated in their country of NERS - Move On report NERS, Banks of the Wear and a host of other organisations have just published a report on the availability of origin, institutionalised in camps Move On housing for refugees in the Northeast. Among the key results of the report are the following: and/or having spent varying periods • Approximately 43% of respondents stated that they would definitely, and a further 38% would of time in a state of social possibly, like to remain living in the Northeast region when considering their move on from NASS dislocation. contracted dispersal accommodation. • Respondents’ preferred areas for Move On housing in the Northeast were areas other than those The effect of pre-arrival traumatic into which they had been dispersed – principally for reasons of personal safety and the avoidance of events can be exacerbated by racial harassment. difficulties encountered due to • A high proportion – 50% of black and 30% of white respondents – had been the victims of racially restricted access to social services motivated crime and harassment while in the region, most of them on more than one occasion. Comparatively few – less than 5% – reported that they had been victims of other crimes. upon arrival in the UK. In addition, • The most often quoted continuing support needs were in relation to housing and employment and there exist some similarities between training in that order.Also, respondents saw refugee-based organisations rather than ‘mainstream’ the experience of racism and providers as their preferred source of such support. discrimination faced by refugees and • Key elements to be considered in the provision of Move-On accommodation are opportunities for belonging and the encouragement of feelings of security, community and support. those of people from minority ethnic groups. Understanding the Decision-making of Asylum Seekers Recent research published by the Home Office has exploded the myth that the majority of people coming to However, NERS also recognises this country have a detailed knowledge of our immigration and/or our benefits systems. and respects that its user group The research interviewed 65 asylum seekers and refugees already living in the UK as well as reviewing other constitutes people of great resilience research.The majority of the interviewees were ultimately driven by the need to reach a place of safety, and resourcefulness, who bring with irrespective of the country they found themselves in. The key findings show that the interviewees also took the following into account when deciding on a destination: them vocational and independent • presence of relatives and friends already in the UK living skills, and have the capacity to • belief that the UK is a safe, tolerant and democratic country contribute to the community in • previous links between their country and the UK (including previous British colony and ability to speak English) which they settle. As such, NERS also The report highlights, once again, the key role of agents in channelling asylum seekers to certain destinations. aims to promote and facilitate the Vitally, the report found very little evidence amongst the interviewees of any detailed knowledge of UK potential of its users to organise and immigration procedures, their entitlements to benefits whilst in the UK or the availability of work once in the UK. empower themselves to lead Most interviewees stated a desire to work and support themselves during their asylum application rather than be dependent on the state. independent lives. ❑

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 9 Ethnicity Questions collated in this table, but the broader category may be a less accurate representation of and the 2001 Census respondents’ self-definition. Most of the results of the 2001 national census have For example, the ‘Mixed’ designation included ‘White and NATIONAL recently become available on a government website Black Caribbean’,‘White and Black CENSUS [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001]. Omar Khan tries African’,‘White and Asian’ and ‘Other’ sub-categories, but the to interpret whether answers to new questions for 2001 various groups may identify more All tables used have produced a clearer picture of how we look at – and with one or another of their in this article to – ourselves. backgrounds than with other are crown mixed groups.That is to say, copyright in Since the ‘ethnicity’ section first methodology employed by the ‘White and Black Caribbean’ that they are appeared in the 1991 national government is not without its mixed persons might perceive reproduced or census (prior to which there was critics. themselves as having more in derived from only a question on place of birth), common with ‘Black Caribbean’, material responses to this question have Key Findings on ‘Black Other’ or even ‘White’ assembled by elicited a high level of interest. Ethnicity in the UK populations, and less so with HM While growth rate projections According to the census, 7.9% of ‘White and Asian’ or even ‘Other Government have often grabbed the most the United Kingdom, 9.1% of the Mixed’ groups, the latter of which and issued by attention, it is important to English population and 8.1% of is probably enormously diverse. the Office of recognize that it is the numbers the population of Great Britain is Table 2 presents the findings National and diversity of the population black and minority ethnic, with a for the various groups in England Statistics. See that impact directly on policy. total of 4.6 million persons (see and Wales only, as the breakdown the Whether determining housing Table 1).This compares with a of the ‘mixed’ category was not government requirements, health indicators, figure of 5.6% in Great Britain available for Northern Ireland and website transport needs, educational (not including Northern Ireland) Scotland on the website. [www.statistics. achievement, and nearly all in 1991, and although there has As in the 1991 census, the gov.uk/census aspects of the public sector – undoubtedly been significant largest category is South Asian at 2001] for more particularly local government – growth over 10 years, closer 45.1% followed by various Black detail. the density and diversity of the inspection of the various groups with 25.4%. However, population is as important in categories demonstrates why it is both figures have reduced by evaluating policy as in proposing important to read the statistics about 4% in relation to the and developing new initiatives. more carefully. As the overall BME populations since And of course equal informational commentary on 1991.These figures require opportunities policies require ethnicity and religion notes, the further explanation, particularly in such data to provide benchmarks. increase must be understood relation to the format of the The following summary is ‘partly as a result of the addition ethnicity question in the 2001 necessarily selective, and readers of Mixed ethnic groups in 2001’ census. Significantly, the number of are advised to interrogate the (from website). categories increased from 9 in government website for more The findings of the 2001 1991 to 16 in 2001, complicating specific responses. However, it is census reveal that 14.6% of all any straightforward comparisons. important to be careful in reading respondents in the United As Table 2 indicates, the 2001 the information, not simply Kingdom described themselves as census was considerably more because statistics are often being of ‘mixed’ origin. Note that nuanced, even within the ‘white’ misleading, but also because the certain sub-categories have been category; the form contained categories and sub-categories Table 1. Black and Minority Ethnic Population of United Kingdom1 presumably with the intention of Region Total Population BME population % BME yielding more specified and England 49,138,831 4,459,470 9.1 accurate data. The increased number of England and Wales 52,041,916 4,521,050 8.7 categories clearly represents an Great Britain 57,104,027 4,622,727 8.1 improvement from the 1991 United Kingdom 58,789,194 4,635,296 7.9 census. In Issue 299 of the

Note:The 1991 census employed the following 9 categories:White, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, Black-Other, Indian, Runnymede Bulletin (Dec/Jan Pakistani, Chinese and Any Other Group. Although the results in Scotland and Northern Ireland do not alter the overall 1997), we had noted four UK figures very much, the black and minority ethnic population is quite different in these regions. For example, the largest particular problems with the communities are: 31% Pakistani in Scotland and 33% Chinese in Northern Ireland; there are also larger ‘Mixed’ and ‘Other’ populations in Northern Ireland and larger ‘Chinese’ and ‘Other’ populations in Scotland. Both regions have smaller ‘Indian’ categories chosen in the census. and ‘Black’ communities than in England and Wales. Only one of these has been fully

10 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Table 2. 2001 Census Categories and BME% in England and Wales criticism.The notable decrease in the overall percentage of ‘Black Group Count % of % of BME population population Caribbean’ respondents in the A.White 2001 census compared to the 1991 statistics is perhaps evidence British 45,533,741 87.5 n/a that the initial criticism was Irish 641,804 1.2 n/a accurate. However, it is difficult to NATIONAL Other 1,345,321 2.6 n/a know how respondents shifted in CENSUS Total White groups 47,520,866 91.3 n/a their self-identification, whether to B. Mixed ‘Black Other’, the various ‘Mixed’ Black Caribbean and White 237,420 0.5 5.2 sub-categories, or even ‘Chinese 1 How we are or other groups: Other’. It will encouraged or Black African and White 78,911 0.1 1.7 probably remain inadvisable to permitted to Asian and White 189,015 0.4 4.1 describe ourselves make direct comparisons to satisfy the Other 155,688 0.3 3.4 between census data regarding purposes of official categorisation is C. British or British Asian: the breakdown of the BME often Indian 1,036,807 2.0 23.1 population since the categories unsatisfactory if could require stability over at not contentious. Pakistani 714,826 1.4 15.8 least two of three censuses so For a recent Bangladeshi 280,830 0.5 6.2 comment on that respondents are familiar with ethnic monitoring Other 241,274 0.5 5.3 the question and its categories. categories and a D. Black or Black British sense of nationality, see Caribbean 563,843 1.1 12.6 Regional Variation Tony Sewell in The Voice, 9 June, p.13. African 479,665 0.9 10.7 of BME Population An important aspect of the black Other 96,069 0.2 2.1 and minority ethnic population in E. Chinese or Other Ethnic Group Britain is its regional variation.The Chinese 226,948 0.4 5.0 overall figure of 8% in fact masks Other Ethnic Group 219,754 0.4 4.8 significant variation, with many Total BME 4,521,050 8.7 100.0 areas containing substantially fewer and certain areas many addressed, namely the inclusion of Complaint two has been at times more than this figure.Table religious affiliation. However, it is least partially addressed, with the 3 gives a snapshot of the black worth reprinting the other introduction of the mixed and minority ethnic population in concerns since they point to category and the possibility that the 9 regions of England continued difficulties and their Cypriots might identify as ‘White (including London) and Wales. partial resolution.The following Other’ and Vietnamese as As the emboldened figures criticisms of the nature of the ‘Chinese or other ethnic group: indicate, only 2 out of the above question were emphasized: Other’.Yet both of these latter 10 regions (London and the West 1. it aroused confusion responses raise further questions, Midlands) match the overall between the terms notably the difficulty of making percentage of 9% over England ethnicity and ‘race’ whose comparisons with the 1991 and Wales as a whole.Yet even precise meaning is still results where the ‘Other’ category this observation obscures certain clouded by uncertainty; operated as something of a trends. Much as in other 2. groups such as the catch-all designation. It is further Vietnamese and Cypriots unclear whether Vietnamese Table 3. BME Population in English Regions were not included, nor populations would prefer the Region Total BME %BME were people of mixed category ‘Asian Other’ or ‘Chinese population population origin; or other group: Other’; the latter Northeast 2,515,442 60,026 2.39 3. the ‘black other’ category category seems particularly Northwest 6,729,764 374,269 5.56 did not do justice to the confusing as it commences with Yorkshire and experiences of African ‘Chinese’ and might therefore be the Humber 4,964,833 323,570 6.52 Caribbean people born in ignored by certain respondents. East Midlands 4,172,174 271,794 6.51 Britain. The third criticism notes the West Midlands 5,267,308 593,012 11.26 The first difficulty is unlikely to be diversity of the experience of fully overcome, although it may African Caribbean people born in East 5,388,140 263,137 4.88 be less relevant to the black and Britain, and the change to include South East 8,000,645 391,656 4.90 minority ethnic (a term that ‘Black or Black British’ as a larger South West 4,928,434 113,118 2.30 combines race and ethnicity) category is probably the London 7,172,091 2,068,888 28.85 1 populations today. government’s response to such Wales 2,903,085 61,580 2.12

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 11 developed countries, non-white Caribbean’, 63% of ‘Black Other’ (often with work-related, populations tend to cluster in and nearly 80% of ‘Black African’ particularly manufacturing, urban areas. In England, London persons live in the capital.This connections of various vintages). alone contains nearly half (46.4%) compares with only 10% of of the BME population.This is White British persons. Religious Affiliation even more marked for certain As Table 4 demonstrates, the A final important issue arising NATIONAL groups than for others. For four largest metropolitan groups from the census is the first-time CENSUS example 56% of ‘Bangladeshi’ and in England contain over two- inclusion of a question on ‘Other Asian’, 61% of ‘Black thirds of the BME residents, religious affiliation. As noted though only above, Runnymede and others Table 4. BME Populations of Selected Metropolitan Areas 25% of White had been requesting for some Metropolitan area Total BME population % of English groups live in time that such a category be population (%) BME population these urban added, and though over 4 million London 7,172,091 2,068,888 46.39 centres.The persons (nearly 8%) failed to fill (28.85) ‘White Irish’ and out the voluntary question, the West Midlands 2,043,231 512,361 11.49 ‘White Other’ results are of some interest. (20.05) populations are The largest category was West Yorkshire 1,842,813 236,398 5.30 also concen- Christian (71.7%) followed by ‘No (11.37) trated in these religion’ (14.8%). Roughly 6% of Greater Manchester 2,260,507 221,821 4.97 areas, though respondents therefore follow (8.94) not as much as another religion, with Muslim, TOTAL 13,318,642 3,039,468 68.16 the non-white Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist and (21.27) population. In Other being the six options on fact, the the census form.Table 7 Table 5. BME (%) Populations of London Boroughs following numbers are represents the total share of each Borough % BME themselves somewhat religion among the non-Christian Havering 4.8 impressionistic since Table 5 responses. Bromley 8.4 reveals that the 33 boroughs of As for the ethnicity figures, Bexley 8.6 London have BME populations religious groups are concentrated Richmond upon Thames 9.0 ranging from 5% to 60%, though in urban areas, with London Sutton 10.8 only Havering is below the containing the highest densities of Barking and Dagenham 14.8 national average and two-thirds most faiths (the population of the City of London 15.4 have BME populations double the capital is 8.5% Muslim, 4.1% Kingston upon Thames 15.5 national average.Table 6 then lists Hindu, 2.1% Jewish, 0.8% Buddhist the other 12 non-London and 0.5% Other).The government Hillingdon 20.9 districts in the country with BME website commentary offers a Kensington and Chelsea 21.4 ratios over 15%.This shows that useful summary of the data: Wandsworth 22.0 while the London districts still Hammersmith and Fulham 22.2 predominate (the top 9 are in Thirty-six per cent of the Enfield 22.9 London), the others are also population of Tower Hamlets Greenwich 22.9 concentrated in or near and 24 per cent in Newham Islington 24.6 metropolitan or urban areas are Muslim. Over one per Merton 25.0 Barnet 26.0 Table 6. Non-London Districts Westminster 26.8 with BME Populations of over 15% Camden 26.8 District BME population Total population % Croydon 29.8 Pendle 13,449 89,248 15.07 Lewisham 34.1 Haringey 34.4 Nottingham 40,278 266,988 15.09 Hounslow 35.1 Oadby and Wigston 8,938 55,795 16.02 Waltham Forest 35.5 Coventry 48,205 300,848 16.02 Redbridge 36.5 Manchester 74,806 392,819 19.04 Southwark 37.0 Sandwell 57,426 282,904 20.30 Lambeth 37.6 Bradford 101,624 467,665 21.73 Hackney 40.6 Wolverhampton 52,538 236,582 22.21 Harrow 41.2 Luton 51,805 184,371 28.10 Ealing 41.3 Tower Hamlets 48.6 Birmingham 289,681 977,087 29.65 Brent 54.7 Leicester 101,182 279,921 36.15 Newham 60.6 Slough 43,224 119,067 36.30

12 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Table 7. Non-Christian Religious Groups minority ethnic population is an Religion Count % of non-Christian important development and one Muslim 1,546,626 51.8 that should have some Hindu 552,421 18.5 consequences. Sikh 329,358 11.0 For example, while only 10 members of the Commons are Jewish 259,927 8.7 from a black and minority ethnic Buddhist 144,453 4.8 NATIONAL background, a 9% membership of CENSUS Other 150,720 5.0 the population of England and Note: Due to an internet campaign that encouraged people to answer the religion question with Wales would suggest a the whimsical response of ‘Jedi Knight’, 390,000 people (0.7% of the population) persuaded parliamentary representation themselves to state Jedi as their religious affiliation. figure closer to 50, or five times greater than at present, would be cent of the population of person in nine of the more appropriate. We can Westminster are Buddhist, population of Hertsmere in extend this observation to while Harrow has the highest Hertfordshire, is Jewish. suggest that census findings are proportion of Hindus (19.6 vital for delivering good policy per cent) and Barnet the Evaluating census data is a and planning for local services, highest proportion of Jewish difficult process and it is on which the comfort and people (14.8 per cent). Over important to be hesitant in efficiency of people’s daily lives eight per cent of the drawing conclusions about the depend. Insofar as community populations of Hounslow and findings, particularly given members – and their local and Ealing are Sikh…The district subjective responses, changes in national government with the highest proportion of categorizations and questions representatives – should be Sikhs is Slough. One person in about the methodology aware of the wants and needs of seven of the population of employed. Nonetheless, the their locality, the census provides Leicester is Hindu. One increase in the black and a meaningful benchmark. ❑

Background Notes on the 2001 Census 1. Census day was 29 April 2001. Census data give a snapshot picture of the country at this time. Population counts by age and sex for England and Wales,Wales, regions of England and English and Welsh local authorities were published on 30 September 2002.

2. The Office for National Statistics is responsible for the census in England and Wales.The Census in Scotland and in Northern Ireland is carried out by the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency respectively. Census data for Scotland and Northern Ireland are released separately.

3. There were three Census questions in 2001 on the topic of ethnicity and religion. Country of birth. This question asked ‘What is your country of birth?’, with tick box options of: England;Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland; Republic of Ireland and Elsewhere (please write in the present name of the country). Ethnic Group. This question was similar to the one asked in 1991, but with changes in some Omar Khan categories. In particular, people could tick ‘mixed’ for the first time. It asked ‘What is your ethnic was a group? Choose ONE section from A to E, then tick the appropriate box to indicate your cultural researcher at background.’ Runnymede (A) White. Tick box options of: British; Irish or Any other White background (please write in). until mid-2001, when he (B) Mixed. Tick box options of:White and Black Caribbean;White and Black African;White returned to his and studies. He is Asian or any other Mixed background (please write in). now a consult- (C) Asian or Asian British. Tick box options of: Indian; Pakistani; Bangladeshi; Any other Asian ing policy background (please write in). researcher to (D) Black or Black British. Tick box options of: Caribbean; African; Any other Black background Runnymede (please write in). while working (E) Chinese or other ethnic group. Tick box options of: Chinese; Any other (please write in). on his PhD at Religion. This question was new in 2001 and was voluntary. It asked ‘What is your religion?’, with St Antony’s tick box options of: None; Christian; Buddhist; Hindu; Jewish; Muslim; Sikh; Any other religion College, (please write in). Oxford.

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 13 Working with Potential Perpetrators to Prevent Racist Violence After a few months of work on Runnymede’s ‘Preventing Racist Violence:Working with Potential Perpetrators’, the overall shape of the project is now coming together. Sarah Isal RACISM & CRIME reports on the research so far, and on phase two. Our project aims to map existing Aarti Patel and Kiren Rai worked that will not only be reflected in the local and community-based projects with us one day a week for a little mapping exercise but also delivered that use prevention as a means of over two months.This experience a sense of the needs of the reaching out to and changing the was extremely positive both for the organisations we met.We all realised attitudes and behaviours of interns and our organisation.1 Aarti that their clear view of what was potential perpetrators of racist and Kiren, through their knowledge needed could only enhance the use violence in London. From this of criminology, were able to they could make of a project such as mapping exercise, we will contribute significantly to the initial ours. develop best practice models phase of the research, and although and disseminate them widely they have now completed their Relevance to other municipalities, local internship, their involvement will Our initial research confirmed that a organisations and schools. In continue to benefit us through their lot of work is being carried out in addition, a network of ‘race’ and membership of the steering group. support of victims of racist attacks. A crime experts, including practitioners lot of effort is also going into trying in locally based organisations, will be Activities to change racist attitudes in society developed over the course of the The first stage of the project in general. However, few projects project to support ongoing consisted of a scoping exercise to seem to focus on preventative work information and practice sharing, and identify recent and ongoing projects with potential perpetrating develop follow-up schemes. with similar objectives to ours, as laid communities. Furthermore, work What follows is an update on out in our introductory report that is taking place seems to be activities undertaken in phase one, Perpetrators of Racist Violence (May either fully or partly carried out by and the findings that arise from these 2002).We contacted a range of statutory bodies. Although this might first few months of action and desk people and organisations whose be linked to the fact that statutory research. work provided a strong starting- organisations are easier to reach point for our research.This included than ‘pure’ community-based Setting up the project phone calls to certain key organisations and projects, it also In setting up a structure for running organisations to establish what they points to another important finding the project, we put together a were doing in the preventative field which is the importance of multi- steering group to keep track of and (i.e. community centres, parenting agency and partnership work advise on progress. Bringing together classes,Youth Offending Teams a group of people with a diverse [YOTs], etc.), internet research to Tackling racist violence within range of expertise in the field, look up recent projects that mainstream projects including youth workers, criminology resembled ours, and visits to Whereas our desk research experts, young people and anti-racist organisations that were working identified many projects that activists, the steering group is proving directly or indirectly towards challenge criminal behaviour in itself useful in its provision of advice, preventing racist violence and that general, these ‘mainstream’ projects both in general and on the direction were interested in hearing more do not specifically tackle racist of the project. about our project. offending. For instance, the YOTs that In the same timeframe, As we started to gather our we interviewed acknowledge that Runnymede was approached by the information, we decided to treat there is an issue about racist Criminology and Socio-legal these meetings and phone calls as attitudes amongst young people sent department at the University of interviews in themselves, which to them for having committed other Westminster to ask if our allowed us to tease out some types of offences, but nothing is in organisation would be interested in findings from the very early stages place to challenge those attitudes. recruiting an intern for work and which has already given us an Similarly, a project we came across 1 See Aarti and experience. As this approach was idea of the way forward in relation uses cognitive methods with young Kiren’s own report made at the outset of the project, it to the mapping exercise. potential offenders to change their of their internship was particularly timely, and we attitudes to crime. However, no experience at agreed to accept an intern to Findings specific part of this project looks at Runnymede on support us in the setting-up phase. Our phone and desk research, as the issue of racist violence in p.16. We offered internships to two very well as the meetings we attended, particular. strong candidates at interview, and produced a number of initial findings A final example illustrates the 14 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 point outlined above: a YOT member and not necessarily significant for the work?). Indeed, some organisations mentioned that they often organisations that we contact. may feel their work does not reflect encouraged offenders’ parents to Indeed, when told that we are the aims of our project when in attend parenting classes and look at researching projects that deal with actual fact their work would be a ways to challenge their children’s ‘primary’ prevention, they usually ask valuable contribution to it. behaviour.Thinking that this could be for clarification.The terminology will The steering group concluded good practice for early intervention nevertheless be useful to us when that phrases like anti-racism are still in changing racist attitudes, we classifying projects in the mapping being linked to work with black and RACISM & investigated further. However, we process. Furthermore, the minority ethnic communities. For CRIME could find no indication that these primary/secondary/tertiary model instance, a member of our steering classes addressed issues around does raise an issue about the scope group who had been a youth racist behaviours. In many projects, of the project, which is discussed worker on a London estate, working race is just part of a more general below (see the section on ‘Issues of very successfully with young white objective, such as crime reduction or scope’). potential perpetrators, stressed that preventing anti-social behaviour. In a although she considered this to be few cases, those responsible for Language issues in general an anti-racist project she had to be carrying out the project did When making phone calls to various cautious about representing it as recognise the need to pay specific organisations we thought conducted such to the young people with attention to tackling racist violence relevant research or projects, we whom she was working. through those mainstream noticed a complex yet clearly This response was confirmed to a programmes, but had not yet present language issue that has to be certain extent when making our worked out how to do it.Would examined before reaching the phone calls: it was often the case incorporating this into the very mapping phase.We realised that that the mention of ‘work to broad remit of parenting classes be people did not have the same challenge or prevent racist violence’ too much of a challenge? One definition of certain words used in would see us immediately redirected possible objective of our mapping the ‘race relations field’. Expressions to units or contacts that worked exercise could therefore be to tease such as ‘anti-racist work’ or ‘cultural exclusively on issues around black out the aspects of these projects diversity’ were sometimes and minority ethnic communities, or that deal or could deal with racist interpreted as irrelevant to their type in the ‘diversity’ units.There is a need violence in particular. of work and we were therefore to clearly identify who are the often told that their work involved targets of the mapping exercise and Clarifying terminology no element that would fit the remit how to overcome both the linguistic Before embarking on the mapping, of our project.The challenge is that, and political barriers around words however, we need to seek in certain projects, the ongoing work such as ‘anti-racism’.This can be clarification of the academic does not appear to have a race overcome by targeting broader terminology used in relation to agenda but it actually touches upon circles than those initially thought of, prevention. In discussing this issue it in ways that are crucial to our that is outside the conventional ‘anti- with the steering group, and in research.This links back to the racist’ world, when mapping particular with academics in the field association of the word ‘anti-racism’ organisations that work with of criminology, it was agreed that the with a specific and perhaps narrow potential perpetrators. definitions of Primary, Secondary and type of work, often taken from the Tertiary we would be using are: angle of victim support rather than Issues of scope • Primary prevention: changing of perpetrators.This could impact Finally, it became apparent that society at large to challenge its quite strongly on the mapping decisions regarding the scope of the racist attitudes exercise and it is therefore important exercise had to be reconsidered, and • Secondary prevention: for us to ensure that the language at a number of levels: working with potential used when initiating contact with • First, the project focuses on perpetrators of racist violence groups does not exclude certain preventative projects and to prevent them from areas or projects. work; however, primary, offending secondary and, to a certain • Tertiary prevention: working Does work with white perpetrators fit extent, tertiary prevention are with perpetrators who have with the anti-racist agenda? clearly equally important.The offended and were caught, Another finding of interest and range covers: work in race aiming to prevent them from debate during our steering group equality to change society’s offending again. meetings was the definition of ‘anti- attitudes towards racism It is important to keep this racism’, and whether the target (primary); preventative work terminology in mind when carrying groups of our research consider with potential perpetrators out the mapping exercise for themselves or their work to be part (secondary); to work carried researchers. However, it is also of the ‘anti-racist’ movement (i.e. is out by probation officers with important to recognise that these work that focuses on young potential offenders in order to prevent academic terms are often confusing white perpetrators part of anti-racist re-offending (tertiary). In that

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 15 context, the scope of the and minority ethnic clinics, probation offices and religious mapping is very broad.The population, and so on). groups, and will aim to assess the question is, therefore how to • Finally, although the project effectiveness of their methods in ensure that the exercise does requires the mapping exercise working with potential perpetrators not get diluted into a to collate information on and preventing and/or rehabilitating collection of broad, relatively community projects, the racist offenders. An element of this meaningless, data. One way distinction between strand of the work will include RACISM & would be to pick a number of community-based and examination of the effectiveness of CRIME key projects or organisations government or statutory- rehabilitated ex-offenders who act as that are particularly based is not clear-cut, in role models for their peers. representative of each of particular in cases of multi- The research will address issues If you would like to be involved these levels of intervention agency activity which is such as the measurability of in the next and build recommendations characteristic of this area of effectiveness, the level of phase of this from them. work, and encouraged in the inclusiveness that such groupings project, and can • Similarly, the wealth of various London boroughs offer to potential offenders, the level identify your information gathered from just (through strategic of multi-agency work and how to organisation as one meeting with one partnerships, and so on). identify areas of good practice.The having particular council prompted latter will form the basis of a guide experience relevant to the considerations of geographical Next steps that will disseminate good practice upcoming scope. It might therefore be Following its initial stage, the research for grassroots organisations as well activities necessary to narrow the will focus next on the mapping as local authorities, probation described here, research down to a number exercise.This activity will involve the officers, youth and social workers, please contact of boroughs, chosen carefully collection of data on schemes that etc. It will also make Sarah Isal, by ranking criteria (i.e. number currently operate in a number of recommendations to enhance the Research and of racist attacks measured London boroughs, through a variety effectiveness of policy-making in this Policy Analyst, at ❑ Runnymede. against proportion of black of media, including youth clubs, particular area. Our Internship at Runnymede Aarti Patel and Balkiren Rai have spent the last few months participating in a Runnymede internship scheme, contributing to the research base of the ‘Perpetrators of Racial Violence and Harassment’ project, which is being managed here by Sarah Isal. Now at the end of their internship, Aarti writes about what it was like to get involved in the scheme.

Kiren and I are both in our final year of Criminology and Socio- were a bit worried, as we had never been to one in our life before. legal studies at the University of Westminster.We were undertaking We have gained so much experience from this placement. a work experience module that required us to work for a total of Neither of us has ever had to undertake a project this big from 70 hours, and were both accepted by Runnymede to complete an scratch; we have not previously had to meet with people to obtain internship with them.We were interviewed at Runnymede by information; and up till now had never been involved in a steering Sarah Isal (project supervisor) and Michelynn Laflèche group. Our verbal skills have developed, as when you call people (Runnymede’s Director) and, to our surprise, were offered a place for information you need to sound professional, not like a student. to work jointly on the Perpetrators project. Our written communication skills have also improved, as we have The two of us had decided to apply to Runnymede as, during on many occasions written up the minutes of meetings and our time at university, we had come across many of Runnymede’s interviews that we have attended.This has been extremely helpful publications, and after visiting their website had discovered that as it is the type of work that we are currently doing at university much of their current work was of interest to us.We also knew that and that we hope to be involved with in our professional lives to the project we would be working on involved contact with come. material concerning Perpetrators of Racist Violence, which is Working at Runnymede is going to benefit us immensely in apposite to our degree courses. the future as we already have experience that many people still Every Wednesday, therefore, in February to April 2003, Kiren haven’t attained by the end of their university course; and it is and I worked alongside Sarah Isal at Runnymede. experience that will carry on after our placement is over due to Everyone thinks that when you attend a work placement all you our involvement in the steering group. do is photocopy and make tea and coffee; you could not be more The people at Runnymede do not treat you like someone who wrong.Throughout our placement we have undertaken a lot of is just useful for running around after them, but like a full member research work in relation to the project, and in fact have done no of the team. Kiren and I have sat in on two of their team meetings, photocopying at all, nor made tea and coffee.There has never been and have also taken part by reporting back on where we feel we’ve a moment at Runnymede when we wished we were not there, as got to with the project.The first team meeting really broke the ice, the work we have done could not have been more varied. as we got to know each member a bit better by hearing them talk Along with Sarah we attended interviews and meetings with about what they do and how their own projects and plans were different people in relation to our project, and have even been working out. asked to stay involved with the steering group after our placement We can honestly say that anyone who undertakes an internship ends.With Sarah away on holiday one week, Kiren and I were at Runnymede needs to be ready to do some serious but asked to attend a conference in her place.We were firstly shocked interesting work. It is not an easy ride, but the experience that you that she trusted us enough to go to the conference, and secondly gain from it is something that you would never have expected. ❑

16 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 The Return of ‘Integration’ – towards a new European policy framework? A concept considered discredited some time ago has re-entered the British race relations discourse:‘integration’. Anja Rudiger looks at what this does to the UK’s more customary EUROPE pro-equality and anti-discrimination approach.

The concept of integration featured long been understood as a process political and civic rights, thus moving most prominently in the of assimilating newly arrived beyond a traditional assimilation government’s white paper,1 which individuals (‘foreigners’,‘extra- agenda. Aware of the limitations of introduced a number of ‘integration’ communitari’,‘Gastarbeiter’) into a many national efforts to promote requirements for individuals. It has largely homogeneous nation, rather integration, the Commission’s also been taken up by the than achieving equality for different rights-based approach seemed Commission for Racial Equality, racial, ethnic and cultural groups in to pave the way towards which – though careful to speak of a pluralist society. In contrast, the establishing a common EU ‘integration [as] a two-way process’ focus in Britain has not been on policy framework, – now considers that its ‘core how newcomers can blend into unobstructed by narrow business is the successful society, but on how society can notions of national identity management of the social effects of regulate the relations between and membership. migration’.2 distinct groups of people in a way This policy agenda has been that balances difference and complemented by a number of 1 Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Discourse and hegemony equality to maintain social cohesion. legislative initiatives.These include Integration with This suggests that the debate is Policies have relied less on the adopted anti-discrimination Diversity in Modern increasingly framed in terms of encouraging integration efforts by Directives under Article 13 TEC, but Britain (Home Office, February coping with migration, rather than individuals and more on promoting also a series of draft Directives to 2002). tackling discrimination and social inclusion as a principle for all improve the legal status of third 2 Trevor Phillips, promoting equality throughout of society. Instead of being country nationals, which are stalled “An Extraordinary society. Such a perspective has long reversed, this British approach in the Council. Since the 2002 Seville Challenge”, been prominent in other European could help shape a European European Council, the Tampere Connections, Spring 2003, p. 11. countries. It could have the agenda for inclusion, equality and focus on integration and fair advantage of bringing migration diversity. treatment has generally shifted to an 3 COM(2000) 757 final, policies and practices within reach emphasis on immigration control. Communication of race equality standards. But why EU integration initiatives Nevertheless, the Commission from the is it that at the same time that At European level, the integration has continued its policy debate Commission to the Council and issues of migration and ‘integration’ debate has taken place in the on integration, culminating in its the European attempt to hegemonise the race context of increased global recent publication of a Parliament, On a 4 Community equality discourse, recent migrants migration and the Community’s Communication on these issues. Immigration Policy, and asylum seekers become ever new competence for immigration This process has received support (Brussels, more vilified subjects of restrictive and asylum policies, thus continuing from the Greek EU presidency, 22.11.2000). policies? Practice on the ground a focus on newcomers rather than which declared early on that it 4 Communication suggests that a focus on ‘integration’ diverse societies.The 1999 Tampere wanted to complete the pending on Immigration, Integration and could come at the expense of an European Council called for a legislative instruments relating to Employment, inclusive equality agenda that drives ‘vigorous integration policy’ for third country nationals and Brussels 3 June migrants and set the fair treatment 2003, COM forward structural and cultural promote measures on integration. (2003) 336 final. change. EQUAL-funded projects of third country nationals as a The Commission’s paper sets out Discussions at that work with asylum seekers policy objective.The European the need for a holistic approach, several conferences have promote their assimilation rather Commission placed this in a wider acknowledges racism and sought to help than good community relations. Any social context by calling for political xenophobia as a barrier to shape the leadership to overcome social Commission’s ‘integration’ approach that sees the integration and advocates the views. For challenge to cohesion not in divisions and to generate idea of civic citizenship with rights example, see Anja discriminatory attitudes and acceptance for diversity. It and participation detached from Rudiger/Sarah Spencer, Meeting structures but in the presence of emphasised that social cohesion nationality. However, it refrains the Challenge: migrants, asylum seekers and requires the implementation of from proposing a full-fledged EU Equality, Diversity integration policies that promote and Cohesion in minorities themselves, runs the risk integration policy but calls for a the European of alienating black and minority equality and diversity, based on a reinforced co-ordination process Union ethnic communities in Britain. Have recognition of the pluralist nature with a network of national focal (www.ippr.org.uk). Claude Moraes we gone too far in adapting our of European society. In its seminal points to harmonise integration MEP will draft the inclusion agenda to a continental Immigration Communication,3 the policies in selected priority areas European Commission linked integration to Parliament’s style integration model? and an annual EU report on response to this Across Europe,‘integration’ has socio-economic equality as well as integration/immigration. Communication.

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 17 National identity, idea of a homogeneous society because the onus for change will human capital and pluralism with substantive values to continue to be on individuals. What benefits could a joint EU which migrants and minorities approach to integration bring, need to assimilate. A European equality vision especially when viewed from a At a policy level, these models If blockages to inclusion at national race equality perspective? In the support a focus on human capital level often expose a lack of current political climate, EU co- issues, such as improving an political will to accommodate ordination might not necessarily individual’s educational diversity within the nation state, EUROPE present a step in the direction of qualifications and employability, the possibility of joint EU action on greater equality and diversity. rather than attention to structural integration acquires a new, more Fuelled by concerns over disadvantages.This prompts policy- positive meaning. Beyond the economic and military security, in makers to see cultural and religious constraints of the nation state, a many Member States a renewed differences as major obstacles to coherent policy framework by an emphasis on a single national integration. By concentrating on enlarged and diverse Union could identity has displaced any individual adaptation, they tend to help promote inclusion guided by tentative moves towards a forgo a wider, more long-term equality and diversity. multicultural understanding of perspective on social cohesion, While such a framework would relations between different based on the sustainable have to proof all migration policies communities. management of diversity. against adverse impact on Moreover, most Member States In contrast, the strength of a inclusion, it would need to move tend to treat integration issues as a more multicultural approach, as beyond a migration perspective to matter of national ideological pursued by the UK – and in the address the management of consensus, linked to ongoing past also by the Netherlands and diversity in multicultural societies. processes of nation building and Sweden – lies in recognising that An equality vision would have to maintaining social order. Across inclusion can only be achieved if all lie at the heart of European Europe, this has given rise to people have equal access to a policymaking, starting with the different conceptual frameworks society’s resources, institutions and momentum generated by the on integration. democratic processes. In a pluralist Article 13 Directives, extending • Firstly, the French republican conception of democracy, the this to third country nationals and model promotes the political presence of different ethnic and adopting positive action measures assimilation of individuals into a racial groups is accepted and along the lines of a public duty to national unity based on democratically regulated, with promote equality. substantive values and rights. equal participation encouraging a This would require a Through citizenship, the cross-fertilisation of cultures and mainstreaming of equality and individual enters into a identities.The emphasis is on inclusion objectives throughout all relationship with the state that promoting equality in all spheres, EU policymaking, programming cannot be mediated by groups, through legislation and equal and practices, making them an thus ruling out any ethnic, opportunities policies, while integral part of employment, religious or cultural belonging enabling the exercise of different health, housing and education which exceeds the private cultural practices.This can help policies, criminal justice co- sphere. Racial or ethnic create a cohesive citizenry that operation, public consultation minorities are not recognised sees little tension between mechanisms and other policy as groups with distinct needs common national and distinct areas.The European employment and rights that state action group identities. strategy, the social inclusion Dr Anja would have to take into To achieve equal access and objectives and the European social Rudiger, UK account. participation, institutions within agenda would require a better Secretariat of • Secondly, the model of society must adapt to and manage integrated and more consistent the European functional assimilation into an the consequences of continual focus on the inclusion of Monitoring ethnically or culturally defined change. A proactive equality regime minorities, supported by specific Centre on nation state includes minority can support this process through targets and sanctions. Racism and ethnic people in one area, positive action measures that These basic components of an Xenophobia usually the labour market, while promote a culture of equality and EU policy framework suggest that (EUMC), largely excluding them from diversity. In Britain, pressures a race relations approach, derived 201–211 civic and political participation. exerted by black and minority from the British model, still has Borough High Countries such as Germany, ethnic communities, especially much to offer to European St, London Austria, Denmark, Italy and where combined with policymakers working on inclusion. SE1 1GZ Greece tend to limit commitment by key decision- The emphasis on fighting [tel: 020 integration policies to the makers, have enabled some discrimination and promoting 7939 0127; labour market and social progress in this regard. Across equality should be strengthened email: arudiger welfare system, thus often Europe, however, the role of rather than refocused – we can failing to accord minorities a community involvement and public only drive forward a progressive @cre.gov.uk stake in society. An emphasis or private sector leadership is likely European agenda if we continue to or anjarudiger on either common ancestry or to remain marginal as long as a champion anti-racism, equality and @hotmail.com] shared culture perpetuates the focus on human capital prevails, diversity. ❑

18 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Parliamentary Monitor III In previous issues of the Bulletin, Runnymede has examined the workings of the committee system and how bills are debated and enacted. Some of the bills examined in the past, including the Criminal Justice, Courts and Equality bills, have moved forward and their progress can be found on the government website [www.parliament.uk]. In this GOVERNMENT article Omar Khan addresses another important aspect of parliamentary procedure, namely parliamentary questions.

While the public cannot Government ministers debating first hour of business every day intervene by questioning the with members of the opposition from Monday to Thursday, government directly, constituency or their own backbenchers is meaning that 4 hours are MPs often present specific and perhaps one of the most reserved per week for ministers local concerns in the form of a enduring images of democracy. to respond. Of course not all parliamentary question.The role For reasons of time, however, only questions can be asked, and of questions is to seek a relatively small proportion of all therefore a random computer information or press for action questions can be asked and shuffle has been instituted to from the government, and though responded to in this manner, select a certain number. However, Prime Minister’s question time is roughly 8%, though this usually first a member of parliament the most closely watched, oral amounts to over 3000 questions must table their question to a and written questions are per year.The political role of specific department and if it is directed at all departments of the these questions is well selected he or she will receive an government. It is therefore summarised in the factsheet: answer in the Chamber on a day important to understand the specified in the Order Paper, also rules and conventions governing Oral Questions give printed on the government the form, content and selection of departments much work website. Ministers are usually such questions. since they have to provide not given 3 days to respond unless Although they were relatively only an answer to the the matter deals with Wales, rare until the 19th century, Question itself, but also full Scotland or Northern Ireland, in parliamentary questions are now background briefing on which which case the consultation an important aspect of British the Minister can base his period is extended to 5 days. democracy, evidenced by the answers to supplementary In order to respond to the Among the new 40,000 put to the government Questions. Supplementaries diversity of questions, the ministers joining every year.These are usually can vary from the factual to government establishes a rota the Home Office referred to a specific department, the highly political, so that the whereby the various departments team as part of providing both the questioner and briefing must anticipate every are allotted specific days on which the mid-June the government with an ramification of the original to answer questions, with larger reshuffle are opportunity to present quite Question.While some departments receiving more time Baroness Scotland detailed information. According to Questions are genuinely that smaller ones, though all QC as Minister of the government factsheet seeking information or action, Departments answer roughly State for the (located on the above website), others will be designed to once a month.While questions criminal justice parliamentary questions can be highlight the alleged related to race, like those on all system and law divided into four categories: shortcomings of the Minister’s matters, are often influenced by reform, and Fiona 1. Questions for Oral Answer department or the merits of popular and/or media concerns, Mactaggart as Parl. 2. Urgent Questions an alternative policy. But not they do emerge somewhat Under-Sec. for 3. Cross-cutting Questions all Questions are hostile. independently from time to time. race equality, 4. Questions for Written Many, especially those For example, Michael Fabricant community policy Answer ‘inspired’ by the Minister or (Conservative, Lichfield) posed and civic renewal. otherwise put down by party this question in the Home Office Beverley Hughes Oral Questions colleagues, will enable slot on Monday 16 June, asking remains Minister Answered directly in the popular decisions to be the Home Secretary:‘What steps of State for Chamber, Oral Questions announced and government he is taking to minimise racial and citizenship and probably represent the most vivid successes to be advertised. religious hatred; and if he will immigration, and picture of parliamentary debate make a statement.’ will deputise for as they usually provide the As noted in the March Bulletin, Members may not ask any the Home opportunity for a response in the government bills occupy the vast question they please and are Secretary on civil form of one or more majority of parliamentary time. specifically prevented from asking renewal, terrorism ‘supplementary’ questions. Question time is reserved for the about matters of opinion, matters and resilience.

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 19 not related to the minister’s Currently 15 to 20 Questions by many observers, the spectacle remit, questions of law or where are answered orally on an is not only highly entertaining, the information is readily average day. but also a unique arena in which available elsewhere.These official government reaction and restrictions are interpreted by For an example of the length and opinion is asserted and the Clerks of the House, but the form of a question, supplemen- recorded. GOVERNMENT final authority rests with the tary and response, consider the Speaker. In fact, the Speaker has exchange recorded in Hansard Urgent Questions substantial leeway in the matter for Tuesday 20 May (see below). These sorts of questions are fairly of questions, as evidenced by the Prime Minister’s Questions are self-explanatory, though at times following quote from the a form of Oral Questions, now highly significant.Whenever an government’s factsheet: answered on Wednesdays for 30 issue must be addressed minutes.The same rules apply as immediately, a member must The Speaker controls the above, but since the prime submit the Question to the pace of Question Time; if he minister has overall responsibility Speaker before noon on the day calls too many on government policy, he can be he seeks a response.The Speaker supplementaries the Minister asked a question on nearly any decides on the relevance of the will be put under close aspect, except for those (few in Question and it is sent scrutiny on a few Questions, number) that relate to issues of immediately to the relevant but the total number of national security and other areas. Department.Two basic Questions answered orally will While Prime Minister’s requirements must be met in be quite small. However, if he Questions thus presents a order for a question to be judged calls too few supplementaries, difficulty for the government and ‘urgent’: first, it must in fact be more Questions will be prime minister in being urgent; second, it must be a answered orally, but the appropriately briefed on any matter of public importance. If Minister may be given too question whatsoever, the nature accepted, these Questions are easy a passage. A balance and diversity of the questions asked at the end of the Oral has to be struck; and it is and supplementaries often result Question time period, and the likely to be struck differently in a somewhat diffuse debate. same rules and procedures apply by different Speakers. On the other hand, as witnessed as specified above.

Parliamentary Oral Question/Supplementary/Response,Tuesday 20 May 2003 (Hansard) [Original Oral Question] Kali Mountford (Colne Valley): [on] What assistance the Department is giving to support family and personal relationships in ethnic minority communities. [Reply] The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor’s Department (Ms Rosie Winterton): This year, the Department made available £5 million to the marriage and relationship support grant programme. Out of the total grant programme, £800,000 is being spent on work that directly supports family and personal relationships in ethnic minority communities. [Supplementary] Kali Mountford: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer and for the close attention that she pays to the issue. She knows that conferences have been held throughout the country, including at the Kirklees domestic violence forum in my area in Huddersfield and in the House last week, when the all-party groups on domestic violence and on children met.At that meeting, the point was again made that ethnic minority women are much less likely to come forward for help, despite their being at least as likely to experience problems.What can my hon. Friend do to help local groups that want to support women in their communities, create new groups and help people through the grant system, which they currently find difficult? Ms Winterton: My hon. Friend is right to ask how we can improve access to the grant fund process. Every year, the Department, through application forms and feedback forms, looks for ways in which to ease the process. I would be more than happy to hear about any difficulties that specific groups, especially from ethnic minorities, have experienced, and about examples of how we can improve the system. My hon. Friend is also right to draw attention to the fact that many people from ethnic minorities will not gain access to all the necessary information on, for example, remedies for domestic violence.We are considering a series of issues and methods of improving matters. Not least, we have translated into many different languages a guide that we recently produced about legal remedies for victims of domestic violence. Mr Gary Streeter (South-West Devon): Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that support for family support groups, in focus and funding, does not sit comfortably with the Department’s overall functions, and that it is not well done? Is it not time the Government modernised the entire procedure for support for ethnic minority families, and more widely, moved it to a Department that is primarily focused on supporting families in this country and ensuring that the support is properly given? Ms Winterton: I disagree profoundly with the hon. Gentleman’s suggestion that the delivery of service is poor. I think that, in terms of the number of people who are given adult relationship support, our record is impressive.The hon. Gentleman had a point, however, in saying that our support should be tailored to support for other things such as parenting. I assure him that I work closely with other Departments, particularly the Home Office, to ensure that happens.

20 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Cross-cutting Questions of a number of departments.The their written questions by email, Introduced only since January boxed examples indicate the and the statistics do suggest a 2003, Cross-cutting Questions are form of the questions, all with noted increase in questions as this meant to deal with issues that specific reference to race equality has become more common. Even pertain to more than one issues, with the last of them also where questions are framed in a department, for example youth indicating how Government often particularly partisan fashion, they policy. At present, it is envisaged responds to such queries. are a valuable way of GOVERNMENT that four Cross-cutting Question times will be presented in each parliamentary session. Form in which Questions are asked – recent examples on race equality

Questions for 6 March 2003: Mr Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the administrative costs were of (a) Active Community Unit grants, (b) Written Answer Race Equality grants and (c) Refugee Integration Unit grants in the last financial year. These constitute the vast majority of Questions asked in 10 April 2003: Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West):To ask the Secretary of State for parliament. Written Questions Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of the cost to maintained schools of (a) setting are often more detailed and up and (b) maintaining the ethnic monitoring programme required by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. require comprehensive responses from the departments to which 5 June 2003. Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth they are addressed. Despite Affairs what progress has been made in his Department and non-departmental public bodies substantial costs to members, on implementing the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; and if he will several hundred are submitted a publish the results of the monitoring required by the Act. day, perhaps evidence that they [this same question also addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer] 9 June 2003 written response. Mr Straw: The FCO published its Race Equality Scheme, are considered a suitable and setting out how it would meet the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act effective way of engaging with 2000, in June 2002.A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.The FCO is shortly to Ministers. issue its report on progress during the first year of the Scheme.This will include the results of There are, in fact, three the monitoring required by the Act.We will ensure that a copy is sent to my hon. Friend. different kinds of Written Questions, each with slightly All from Hansard, dates as given. different rules: 1. Questions tabled for oral answer that were not Parliamentary Questions in guaranteeing that departments Omar Khan is answered in Oral Question the 21st century are able to justify and explain a consulting Time. Parliamentary Questions are not their policies. Since the questions policy 2. ‘Ordinary’ questions, which just the most exciting aspect of and responses are now published researcher to do not specify a date by democracy but also represent an in the ‘Question Book’ and Runnymede which a response is sought. important opportunity to receive Hansard on the government while working The convention is that information from the government website, they can be seen as a on his PhD at Ministers will reply in 7 days, and pressurize for action in areas form of democratic accountability. St Antony’s but this is not a binding rule where developments might be Whether or not the additional College, and some questions are left stalled. Although it may seem like publicity improves the quality of Oxford. unanswered for over a a procedural affair whereby the the questions and responses month.These constitute opposition are scoring debating probably depends on how many 3. ‘Named Day’ or ‘Priority’ points and the government is read these transcripts. ❑ Questions, in which members simply ‘planting’ favourable request a response for a statements, the randomness of specific day, usually within 3 the selection of oral questions, Postscript: Current Status of the Equality Bill days of tabling the question. the topicality of urgent questions, (from the Odysseus Trust Website) Although Ministers are and the sheer volume of written required to make some sort questions ensures that meaningful ‘The Bill has now successfully completed its passage of response on the given day, public concerns are addressed. through the House of Lords and has moved to the it is often merely to state that Readers should note that House of Commons where it is being sponsored by the question will be members often raise questions Angela Eagle MP (former Minister for Race answered as soon as possible. important to their constituents Relations) with the support of Vera Baird QC MP Most questions are in fact of the and that suggesting such a course and Norman Lamb MP (LibDem Treasury ‘ordinary’ variety. Many are of action might be an effective Spokesperson).The Bill has already received a focused on the financial and way of increasing the likelihood tremendous welcome in the Commons with over administrative functioning of the that the government will respond 230 MPs signing an Early Day Motion in Support.’ government. Another common to specific issues. (Odysseus Trust Website:http://www.odysseustrust.org) form is to ask the same question Members can now submit

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 21 Institute of A SENSE OF PLACE International Visual Displacement and Intregration: the role of the arts and Arts media in reshaping societies and identities in Europe The Institute’s 2003 programme 24–27 November 2003, The Old Library, Cardiff, Wales includes the publication Veil, published in association with A Sense of Place is a major 4-day international event that will Modern Art Oxford, which investigate, question and shed light on ‘displacement’ and ‘integration’ in Europe, through the ‘explores the representation of the intellectual focus of the role of the arts, culture and media. veil in contemporary visual culture’. In the context of heightened public suspicion, fear and intolerance, and evolving European human Newly commissioned essays sit rights and immigration policies, A Sense of Place will consider how societies are in flux, how cities are alongside key historical texts and in transition, and how rebuilding is taking place at both a physical and psychological level. works by contemporary visual artists This creative and inquiring event will focus on common threads rather than differences, and address such questions as: to ‘reflect the breadth of conflicting • How do different cultural norms challenge or enrich societies in host countries? How do and constantly shifting attitudes organisational cultures and institutional frameworks need to evolve to reflect the changing towards the veil’. In map? February/March ‘Veil’ visited Walsall • What is meant by integration and who are the key players? How do societies adapt, and as part of its touring exhibition what can they gain? Do the arts have a legitimate contribution to make to debates around programme supported by the Arts national identity and displacement? Council. • To what extent are the mass media forming public opinion, as opposed to responding to public opinion? How does the global proliferation of the media facilitate or subvert true representation and active citizenship around issues of displacement and integration? • How far are artists with experience of displacement contributing to innovative artistic expression and practice? How does the displaced artist re-encounter or re-define his or her identity within this process? • Under what circumstances can participation in the arts be a key to breaking down barriers and overcoming prejudice? The event will be particularly valuable for arts and social policy makers, humanitarian aid workers, social and environmental analysts and officers, academics, educators, funders, arts and media practitioners, architects, cultural theorists, and venue managers. Individuals with personal experience of displacement are integral to the event. To complement the themes running throughout the conference, a series of evening events have been programmed in collaboration with local arts and music venues in Cardiff, including Chapter Arts Centre In June at inIVA’s gallery space (films, filmmakers, directors and actors in Q&A sessions) on 25 Nov, and the Coal Exchange music venue in East London, Made in Paris: (poets, musicians, vocalists, acrobats and dancers) on 26 Nov) headlined by Israeli saxophonist Gilad Photo/Video has been featuring the Atzmon & Orient House Ensemble with guest Palestinian vocalist Reem Kelani. work of Algerian French and Iranian artists Marc Garanger, Ghazel, Samta Benyahia and Majida A British Council initiative, A Proposals for Readers of the Runnymede Khattari.The show is part of a Sense of Place is supported presentations, Bulletin will receive a 15% London-wide event coordinated by by Arts Council Wales, papers and discount off the delegate fee the French Embassy during June, Cardiff 2008, Welsh Assembly discussion group if booked before the 30 July ranging from ‘identity photographs’ Government, and the themes are 2003. When booking please taken during the War of Gulbenkian Foundation, and encouraged and quote reference RB503. Independence (1954–62) to run in collaboration with the suggestions for Further information about A Runnymede Trust, Joint geometrical patterns and sculpture, funding and/or Sense of Place and a booking Council for the Welfare of and from the Veil as everyday garb partnerships with form are on: Immigrants, The London to western high fashion linked with key organisations www.asenseofplace.org.uk Metropolitan University, Islamic codes of dress and are welcome, Enquiries to: Cardiff Council, Chapter Arts particularly for [email protected] behaviour. Centre, and Cardiff School of the education Proposals, suggestions of funding The Institute is at 6-8 Standard Journalism, Media and programme. sources, offers of donations – all Place, Rivington St, London EC2A Cultural Studies. to: [email protected] 3BE [tel: 020 7729 9616; www.iniva.org].

‘Suitcases and Sanctuary’ at the Museum of Immigration and Diversity, Spitalfields National Refugee Week (15–22 June) has afforded a rare opportunity to see inside 19 Princelet Street, London E1 – a building still in too fragile a state to be open permanently to the public. Contrasting with the scare stories and sweeping generalisations of many news reports,‘Suitcases and Sanctuary’ is a very simple show, telling stories of exile, hope and renewal of generations of refugees and immigrants who have made their homes in Britain. Poems, poetry, even potatoes, are piled in suitcases to display the work of today’s children, to illustrate their understanding of what it means to be a stranger.As George Alagiah says,‘today’s migrants are tomorrow’s citizens’. This little exhibition can be seen at the rarely open 19 Princelet Street museum, a small but evocative historic building which encapsulates so much of our mixed and many layered multicultural society. Entry is FREE, though donations are encouraged from those who can, to help us reach the target needed to save and preserve this Grade II* listed building so it can open permanently in future. To see more of our work to create a welcoming space and educational resource where people from all communities and cultures can explore together, visit www.19princeletstreet.org.uk Future Opening Dates include: Sunday 13 July (12-5pm) – as part of ‘respect’Week Sunday 7 September (12–5pm) – Brick Lane Festival and European Day of Jewish Culture and Heritage Saturday and Sunday 20–21 September (10am–5pm) – London Open House weekend

22 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN MARCH 2003 This Is Where I Live – developed from material reflecting how the groups developed their work, which will also tour nationally. a Progress Report Project findings will also Runnymede’s arts-based policy project, This Is Where I Live, contribute to a policymaking publication which will voice the has been gathering momentum over the last few months. young participants’ thoughts.This, MULTI-ETHNIC Rajiv Anand, Project Coordinator, reports on how things along with a set of web-based BRITAIN are developing. resources, should be ready for early 2004. This is Where I Live is a project that disability, equality and employment. This is Where I Live is a unique Rajiv Anand is is beginning to engage young In this instance, we will work with project that aims to effect tangible the Project people nationwide in a debate the Association’s disabled group of learning outcomes, which include: Coordinator about heritage, identity, nation and 10 young people, aged 11–22, on specific arts development training, (Youth and citizenship.The project is to use poetry and creative writing. along with reasoning skills, Arts) for This focus groups and differing art The groups of young people technical skills, team-building skills, Is Where I Live. forms, such as photography, music, already involved are living management and personal If you want to drama and dance, to act as a testimony to the fact that the UK development and general get involved creative springboard in helping is an exceptionally diverse nation, administrative competence.The with the young people from disparate and that communities bring with project will also support and project background express their feelings them their own lived experiences, nurture young people’s contact Rajiv and beliefs in such a way as to thoughts and realities, all of which understanding of anti-racist at Runnymede. make an impact on local, regional go towards making our society thinking and will help foster and national policymakers, as well interesting and vibrant to inhabit respect, understanding and as to engage with each other. and grow up in.We have focused tolerance between peoples of Across Wales, England, Scotland on contacting groups which are dissimilar backgrounds, highlighting and Northern Ireland, in urban, made up of ‘hard to reach’ young the importance of living in a suburban and rural settings, the people, including those from community of communities and of TIWIL project has started to gather differing racial, religious, cultural individuals. testimonies from groups of young and social backgrounds. Groups Plans for the next couple of people. In cities such as Cardiff, from the Hindu, Muslim and Baha’i months will take us to various Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol, Dundee religions, as well as young people parts of the UK, visiting Cardiff and and London, the young people in care, people who have been Bristol in June, Liverpool and involved are keen to showcase excluded from school, and groups Mansfield in July.The work in their creativity throughout the from disadvantaged cultural and London is ongoing, and involves duration of the project, which will social backgrounds will be involved focus groups with young people culminate in a conference to be at a grassroots level. from which to develop their held in London in June 2004. This Is Where I Live will enable findings in related art works which In Cardiff , the Sherman Theatre young people to contemplate will eventually feed into the is linking TIWIL to their Acting Out issues they may not necessarily project at a national level. ❑ project – a new educational and have had a chance to think about performance initiative in in the past and to respond to collaboration with Cardiff Council’s outcomes in a positive manner. ‘respect’ festival 2003 Dedicated to the memory of Schools Service. Here pupils from Various art forms are coming to Stephen Lawrence, in the 10th year 10 and 11 who are in danger the fore, and a creative national anniversary year of his death, the of being excluded from the pattern is being constructed third respect festival will culminate in a day-long event at The Dome, North Greenwich, on 19 July. During respect classroom will be given a hands-on through the mediums of drama, week (12–19 July), London boroughs, arts and sports experience in a professional arts music and dance.The young organisations and others will have come together to focus environment.The 12 young people people will be able to share their on anti-racism, anti-discrimination policies and partnerships.The free music and entertainment festival for will work on live performance and findings and art forms through a Londoners that brings the week to a close keeps growing in video for TIWIL. series of performances in each of scale and impact. Information from the respect hotline [020 The work in Liverpool is with the national countries. 7983 6554; email: [email protected]]. The Merseyside Youth Association,a A city venue will be selected in Narrativiti 2003 charity which delivers a range of each UK country, and the young One of a series of events to gather momentum around an advice and information services to people will assemble there to initiative ‘Each One Treat One’ to address HIV/Aids in the young people at their centre called showcase their works to one black community, Narrativiti is a multi-media event showcasing the work of musicians, artists and designers. The Door.Their work has another as well as to audiences.This They will use it as a platform to clarify some widely held enhanced young people’s skills in is scheduled to take place early in misconceptions in the black community regarding circumstances where they face 2004. Accompanying the HIV/Aids. On Sunday 13 July (4.30–11pm) at STONE, 201 Liverpool Rd, Islington, London N1 [email: problems in housing, health, performances will be an exhibition, [email protected]].

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 23 VSO’s ‘Cultural Breakthrough’ Campaign

‘Integration without difference means forced Britain as a result of volunteering experience, which assimilation to a prevailing monoculture. It is has fundamentally changed their interactions coercive, impractical and undesirable. But likewise, The research report goes on to suggest ways in which difference without integration leads to mutual people can make a cultural breakthrough and reports on REVIEWS ignorance, and social segregation.That is why I respondents’ experiences of developing cross-cultural support integration with diversity, founded on the understandings and connections. It also suggests that common citizenship of people from different readers might want to volunteer for work on cross-cultural backgrounds who have different interests and issues with some of the organisations they endorse. beliefs.’ Examining the issue of cross-cultural connection is (Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Home Secretary) especially salient at this time as summer activities begin across the UK that will attempt to bring together different This is one statement among many to have emerged ethnic and cultural groups.The views presented here will from the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)’s Cultural echo the experiences of many people working on Breakthrough campaign that is thoughtful, considered, and community cohesion projects, and provide some support in some ways, surprising.VSO have managed a rare feat; to for the crucial work that they are doing. get opinion formers to consider ‘race’, culture, and diversity, honestly and thoughtfully.The campaign aims to The Essays – Defining Moments explore the barriers, benefits and opportunities for greater connection across cultures in Britain and beyond. It Leading figures in politics, academia, literature, the involves three key elements: research, essays and photos. media and the entertainment worlds apply their insight and experience to addressing notions of The Research cultural exchange and multiculturalism in Britain.

The report, So You Think You’re Multicultural?, The editors of this collection have assembled a broad provides a picture of attitudes to, and experiences range of experience and views to illuminate individual of, multiculturalism across Britain. It draws on three ‘defining moments’ of cultural breakthrough. Bhikhu pieces of original research commissioned by VSO, Parekh, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Multi- which reveal that the majority of the UK public are Ethnic Britain, discourses on the benefits of diversity and not connecting with other cultures and don’t see the perils of assimilationism. Professor Haleh Afshar reflects this as a problem. on personal identity, politics and difference. Chris Patten notes the importance of intercultural connection in The research included a randomly selected nationwide understanding our own humanity and global telephone quantitative survey, focus groups with urban responsibilities. Meera Syal celebrates the diversity of professionals, quantitative research with former VSO London, and the impact that that has on cultural life: volunteers, and interviews with novelist Diran Adebayo, psychologist Oliver James, philosopher Alain de Botton, A glance at a map means I can pinpoint the and TV producer Yaba Badoe.The key findings of the Asian millionaires in Bushey, the Bengali study reveal some rather contradictory responses: housewives in Bow, the Sikh families in Tooting, the • 77% of respondents to a nationwide poll agree that Punjabi artists in Hoxton, and thousands of others different cultures in Britain coexist rather than whose parents landed as strangers in London, connect; never imagining that their children would feel part • 37% have very little or no contact with people from of the city and shape it themselves. Around me I different cultures; hear teenagers mixing cockney glottals with black • 81% are content with the contact they currently have patois and Punjabi slang. It’s a new language with and do not wish for any more contact with other a unique beat and it drums through all our work, cultures in Britain; the new Londoners. Innit? • 77% would like to know more about other cultures and think they could learn from them. Other contributors include George Alagiah, Sorious These findings suggest that a large number of Samura, Jung Chang, Shazia Mirza, Ben Okri, Naim respondents had understood the messages about the Attallah, David Tomlinson and David Blunkett. benefits of cultural diversity, but found it difficult to Reading the collection is inspirational in engaging the connect with people from ethnic or cultural groups reader with ideas, styles of expression, and challenges, different from their own.The authors argue that this is the which may be unexpected.The collection alerts (or cultural breakthrough that needs to be made. One means reminds) readers about the diversity of ideas and of making this breakthrough, the authors suggest, is perspectives that contribute to our nation and our world. through volunteering for VSO since: Some essays are reflective, others campaigning, some • 69% of VSO volunteers consider that they have had personal, others political, yet all are engaging. more contact with people from different cultures in

24 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 The Photographic Exhibition the direction of their careers. Jonathan Dimbleby and Pratibha Parmar, both of This major exhibition, on the Cultural Breakthrough whom contributed to the exhibition, gave keynote theme, captures the defining moments of cultural speeches. Jonathan talked about his personal experiences in discovery experienced by celebrities and ordinary Ethiopia, and emphasised how enriching those experiences people alike. have been. Pratibha spoke about the practice of Female Genital Mutilation amongst Maasai Women in Kenya, REVIEWS Organised in association with Panos Pictures and the which she argued was a human Guardian, the launch took place on Wednesday 4 June at rights and not a cultural issue. the Guardian and Observer Archive and Visitor Centre. For further information about The launch gave visitors a chance to view the images and the campaign, to read the essays and words of contributors that included Martin Bashir,William the research report, and see a sample Dalrymple, Nitin Sawhney,Terry Waite and Oona King of pictures from the exhibition, visit MP to name a few. www.culturalbreakthrough.co.uk, or Visitors were enthralled by the photography; a very contact VSO at 317 Putney Bridge effective way of capturing cultural experience. It was Road, London SW15 2PN (tel: 020 evident from the exhibition that the contributors’ 8780 7200). experiences had changed their worldviews or determined Rob Berkeley, Runnymede

Idylls of the Kingdom

Racism and the Dorset Idyll: A report of the experiences of Black and minority ethnic people in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Chris Gaine and Kirstin Lamley Dorset Race Equality Council, 43 Oxford Rd, Bourmemouth BH8 8JB ISBN: 0-948765-88-7; January 2003

A Country Life Us city dwellers often forget that our worries are not Some interviewees were sceptical about the value exactly the same as those of people who do not live in the of the survey, seeing it as little more than a ‘paper urban sprawl. Black and minority ethnic communities in exercise’, believing that nothing could change the UK are based largely in our cities. Recent census data people’s minds about the racism they encounter. reported that over one in four people in Greater London (p.27) are not White. In Dorset there is a different story to be told, just over one in a hundred people are from minority Alongside questionnaires, the researchers managed to ethnic communities. How is community built in these conduct 190 semi-structured interviews with individuals circumstances; how are racisms responded to; how do you from BME communities, 112 interviews with professionals develop a sense of belonging when in such a small working in services that impact on the lives of people minority? In this remarkable study the authors have from BME communities, and engaged 50 young people in presented the experiences of members of BME focus group discussions.This makes the survey larger than communities in an attempt to answer some of these any carried out in the region before. questions. The report will resonate with the experiences of This study is remarkable because in it you can hear the people nationally and with the difficulties involved in voices of those who are so often disregarded and because researching ‘race’ in any arena. In order to research the it is addressed to those who have it in their power to experiences of people for minority ethnic communities effect change. Dorset REC pulled together an impressive across Dorset, the authors ran into the typical problems of coalition to support the research project including six indifferent ethnic monitoring, lack of comparability of councils (Poole, Bournemouth,Weymouth and Portland, existing data sets, the poor definition of the White and Dorset and West Dorset), the police and health authorities, Black other categories, and the lack of monitoring of a housing association, the development agency, and overseas students and migrant workers. Nonetheless, the education agencies covering the entire life span (Sure research is powerful and even-handed in relating the Start, Connexions, and the LSC).The researchers engaged experiences gathered. For many respondents their in the daunting task of unearthing the voices of people experiences had been largely positive, others expressed who had to this point been ignored.They note: their marginalisation and isolation:

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 25 Yes, I do [feel a sense of isolation here]. I do • We hate England, not just Weymouth. If you come to feel it because I think I’m the only one in this my country and you see the way people treat you, workplace . . . and I do feel it when I’m out and you would hate the country, all the country not just about, and go to a nightclub or I go to a the people who you know . . . restaurant or something . . .I can be the only • Even when you go out in a group people just look at one in there. I do feel sometimes, I do feel us like ohhh and just you can see how they react. REVIEWS vulnerable and . . . you could be in a group but And sometimes a policeman stops us and says you your still on your own, if you know what I mean. can’t walk in that kind of a group, we are about ten you know, and they just very seriously split us into Such isolation made it difficult to tell whether just five and four like this.You can see what I mean? experiences were racialised or individualised.This in The authors conclude this illuminating report with turn led to anxiety for some respondents: three challenges to public services in Dorset, noting that while institutional racism is pervasive in Dorset it is not Well racism is a perceived thing isn’t it at the ‘as systematic and as explicit as the MacPherson Report end of the day and I could say things have argued was the case within the Metropolitan Police’. happened to me because I’m Black but would I The first challenge is responding to the ‘pervasive be right? I don’t know … when she goes into sense of marginalisation and varying degrees of the shop with our son, she gets the feeling … exclusion many informants spoke about’.The second is that they tend to be watching and it’s not just a recognition that equality does not mean uniformity.The glance, she thinks that they are actually third challenge relates to the ‘dispersed, isolated and watching her because [he’s] Black and that he’s sometimes individualised character of the Black and more likely to do something… minority ethnic population’:

As well as gathering data on people’s general The key point here is that with a small and experiences and on their sense of belonging in the disparate Black and minority ethnic population, region, the report focuses on respondents’ specific relevant communication and shared resources experience of certain public services; Social Services, between public services produce better public Education and Youth Services, Housing, Environmental services, to the advantage of both those who Health, Health, and the Police. Unfortunately, none of work in the services and those who use them. these services comes out with an entirely positive response, and the report presents a series of challenges to This is an important study, which takes a scholarly these services in their duties to both eliminate unlawful yet innovative approach to unearthing the experiences discrimination and promote race equality. of a group of people who are often disregarded.The There are in particular issues that Further and Higher authors and organisations involved should be Education Institutions must respond to in inviting commended for their sensitivity and bravery in taking overseas students to join them.The authors use a case this work forward.The question remains as to why study to note the extent of the exclusion and similar studies are not being carried out all over the marginalisation that was reported to them by country – maybe our cities have something to learn overseas students: from our country cousins.

Norfolk at Ease: A county with a vision of inclusive communities Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equality Council, Boardman House, Redwell St, Norwich NR2 4SL; March 2003

Norwich and Norfolk REC have baseline study on what Community Cohesion means to been instrumental in developing people living in Norfolk and how it can best be responses to government policy on achieved. race and cultural diversity in rural areas.The In ‘Norfolk at Ease’ we are presented with another ‘Norfolk at Ease’ report is an exemplar of engaging picture of the diversity of our communities outside of communities with government policy. NNREC has the major conurbations and the key areas of concern to worked in partnership with Norfolk Equal the Black and minority ethnic population in rural and Opportunities Network to develop a countywide semi-rural situations. ❑ partnership plan, a Race Equality Scheme for Norfolk.In Rob Berkeley, Runnymede ‘Norfolk at Ease’ they also report the results of a

26 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Challenging the stereotype

British Muslims and State Policies Muhammed Anwar and Qadir Bakhsh The Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations, University of Warwick, 2003 Birmingham Council, The Uniting Britain Trust and the University Project Pp. 80, ISBN 0 9 48303 99 9 REVIEWS

1 Whilst reading these two Muslims in Britain publications I began Humayun Ansari to refer to Muslims Minority Rights Group International August 2002 in Britain as the Pp. 40, £5.95, ISBN: 1 987693 64 8 Minority Report, which made me in [www.minorityrights.org] turn think of the recent film of Philip Dick’s science fiction short story, in which Currently it’s • Perception of the issues as they relate to social and the ‘minority report’ holds the balancing possible to read many public policy development in employment and service antidote to the books and articles about Islam and delivery in public, voluntary and private sectors. predominating version of the ‘truth’, Muslims.The diversity in the literature is great and ranges • Relevant policy and practice and where dire between publications in which Muslims would not even • Gaps between the existing good policy and practices consequences can recognise themselves or their community, to those which within the public, voluntary and private sectors and the arise from ignoring it. challenge stereotypes, whilst exploring the issues of aspirations of the Muslim communities, the voluntary 2 http://www.statistics diversity and reality within the community. sector and the institutions and agencies themselves, .gov.uk/CCI/nugget. A book should not be judged by its front cover alone towards further action. asp?ID=293&Pos= 4&ColRank=1&Rank but there is no doubt that many of us decide which book (p.12) =192 to read based on first impressions. For instance, a book with Its methodology – analysis and review of secondary 3 a Muslim woman kneeling at prayer whilst dressed in an research, plus one-to-one interviews, focus groups, Summary Report on Islamophobia in the army uniform would automatically challenge a few roundtables, etc. – makes for an interesting read. It contains EU after 11 stereotypes and indicate that the publication could prove to within it a mixture of factual information interspersed September, Christopher Allen be an interesting read.An added bonus of the picture on the with impressions by Muslims.These not only indicate the and Jørgen S. Nielsen front cover of British Muslims and State Policies (published by strength of feeling amongst the community but also that it (Vienna: EUMC, May CRER at the University of Warwick) is that the ethnicity has not been able to fully feel the positive impact of some 2002). Read it on the web [http. of the Muslim woman is not obvious. In contrast, the front recent changes. www.eumc.eu.int] in cover of Muslims in Britain (published by the Minority The purpose of the MRG publication is also to the publications Rights Group) features an Asian woman putting out explore the diversity of the Muslim experience in Britain, section; or get a paper copy via the 1 washing in her garden whilst her children play alongside. and call for legislative and policy change, particularly in UK Secretariat The challenge once the reader opens a book is to see if the current climate. It succeeds in delineating the [tel: 020 7939 0127; the publication does add to the debate and move it complexity of the Muslim communities – ‘there is no email: arudiger@ cre.gov.uk]. forward.The debate around Muslim identity needs to be single, clearly defined perception of British Muslim moved forward because, according to the 2001 Census, ‘After Christianity, Islam was the most common faith with nearly 3 per cent describing their religion as Muslim (1.6 A Symposium on Muslim Education million).’2 Also, all the socio-economic indicators show that 8 July 2003, 7.0–9.0 p.m. Muslims, particularly those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi St Mary’s College, Strawberry Hill origin, are one of the most deprived groups in Britain. Particularly since the events of September 11 2001, there As part of its commitment to widening the participation of Muslim has been an increase in anti-Muslim attitudes in Britain, students and to the development of Christian–Muslim relations, the which has sometimes resulted in attacks on individuals and School of Theology, Philosophy and History at St Mary’s College is property; also in religious discrimination. In December hosting a seminar on Muslim education. There will be four speakers: 2002 the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Nawazish Bokhari, headteacher (retired) of Ernest Bevin School,Tooting Xenophobia (EUMC) reported that ‘Islamophobia and Bushra Nazir, headteacher of Plashet School, Newham anti-Semitism, fueled by the September 11 attacks and the Salma Sualymani, headteacher of Suffah Primary School, Hounslow Middle East Conflict, are in danger of becoming Abdullah Trevathan, headteacher of Islamia School, Brondesbury acceptable in Europe’.3 The symposium will take place in the Waldegrave Drawing Room, St The mainly qualitative study (by the University of Mary’s College,Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill,Twickenham,TW1 Warwick) examines state policies towards Muslims in 4SX.All are welcome. For further information contact Dr Lynne Britain, and concentrates on the following in particular: Scholefield (tel: 020 8240 4159; email: [email protected]).

RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 27 CONTENTS identity … the notion is complex, hijab-wearing candidates. diverse and equivocal’ (p. 32).This Initiatives of this kind show how a Complementing Teachers: social complexity does not make it bit of thinking and doing can make a A spring launch for easier to see how to proceed when difference.They need to be promoted Complementing Teachers 1 government is reluctant to legislate – and regularly assessed for success – Introduction to the launch against ‘Islamophobia’, and so that effective good practice Michelynn Laflèche 2 communities are left to deal in their eventually becomes part of the Welcoming a whole new resource Nicola Rollock 3 Qaisra Khan has own way with their unease over lack mainstream. Community Cohesion: worked for of anti-discrimination protection (pp. Both books are dealing with the 28–30). needs of the Muslim community, so The Challenge of a Black Runnymede in a Regional Network research and British Muslims, whilst listing the their recommendations tend to cover Beverley Prevatt-Goldstein 6 fund-raising issues that concern Muslims and similar areas.They include issues Social Inclusion: capacity since highlighting disadvantage, does not around perception, representation and North of England Refugee Service 2001. In June dwell on disadvantage. It points out discrimination.The important role Sead Masic 8 2003 she that some issues, such as education, the media plays and the need for it to National Census: becomes the are more complex than at first appear dispel ignorance among the western Ethnicity Questions Neighbourhood – e.g.‘Muslim children in Glasgow nations about Islam are highlighted. and the 2001 Census Omar Khan 10 Renewal Fund and some areas of London were ‘Britain is now irrevocably a performing better than Muslim multi-racial and multi-faith society. It Racism and Crime: Manager for Newham children in Birmingham and is a fact that Muslims are an integral Working with Potential Perpetrators to Prevent Racist Violence Training Bradford’. Detailed analysis shows part of Britain.Almost 60 per cent of Sarah Isal 14 Network. this can be linked to factors such as the Muslim population is British Our Internship at Runnymede class and length of stay in Britain. It born. Most of them are British Aarti Patel and Balkiren Rai 16 also refers to the culpability of the citizens and Muslims are the largest Europe: Runnymede Muslim community, and interviewees religious minority group in Britain’, The Return of ‘Integration’ – towards make recommendations for other states the MRG report.‘Muslims are a new European policy framework? Team: Muslims too, including that there now an integral part of a multi-racial, Anja Rudiger 17 Michelynn should be greater dialogue with other multi-cultural and multi-faith Government: Laflèche faith communities and that Elders Britain. Religious organisations play Parliamentory Monitor III Director Omar Khan 19 undertake further education. One an important role in civil society and Multi-Ethnic Britain: Rajiv Anand specific criticism levelled at Muslims provide substantial support for their Project TIWIL Progress Report in Britain, at its launch, was that it members’, states the CRER report. Rajiv Anand 23 Coordinator does not highlight how well Muslim Both publications prove the (Youth and Arts) Reviews: girls are doing educationally as importance of those statements with Cultural Breakthrough 24 Robert compared to boys. varied emphasis. Both provide Idylls of the Kingdom 25 British Muslims refers in detail to a thought-provoking Conclusions and Challenging the Stereotype 27 Berkeley Senior Research number of areas of good practice in a Recommendations, along with useful and Policy Analyst variety of sectors and then goes on to bibliographies, relevant international Bulletin No. 334, June 2003 Filiz Caran make recommendations. Some of the instruments, and the other ancillary ISSN 1476-363X Projects Officer examples of good practice that material you expect from scholarly caught my attention were: research. But the ‘Policy and Practice’ Sarah Isal In 2003,The Bulletin, Runnymede’s • an NHS outpatients’ department and ‘Good Practice’ sections of British Research and Quarterly newsletter,will be reviewing missed appointments Muslims convey a sense of progress – Policy Analyst published in the months of March, and then introducing an already achieved and still in prospect (Europe) June, September and December by: electronic multi-faith and – that give you confidence in the Omar Khan multiethnic calendar so that likelihood of much more to come. ❑ The Runnymede Trust The London Fruit & Wool Exchange Policy Researcher patients can be given Qaisra Khan Suite 106, Brushfield Street, (Consulting) appointments that do not clash London E1 6EP with their important days; Tel: 020 7377 9222 Fax: 020 7377 6622 Nicola Jim Rose Tribute Email: [email protected] Rollock • Muslim lay preachers being 15 October 2003 Url: www.runnymedetrust.org Research and allowed to visit all prisoners of Venue: British Council at 6pm Policy Analyst different faiths; Lecture plus Reception plus Annual subscription in 2003 is £25.00 (Education) • special swimming sessions for presentation Muslim males (yes males) in one of the Archiving Project Ros Spry London Borough; for Runnymede materials at The Runnymede logo was Publications designed by Four IV Design • provision of halal food in the Middlesex University Consultants. Other design Editor elements were originated army; Full details will be posted on by Four IV and developed Kings Mill • and the Metropolitan Police Runnymede’s redesigned website in by St. Richards Press. Partnership Service introducing hijab-wearing early July and confirmed in the Typeset and printed by: Accountancy uniform to encourage potential September issue of the Bulletin. St Richards Press Ltd. Services Leigh Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 2TU. 28 RUNNYMEDE’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN JUNE 2003 Tel: 01243 782988 Copyright © 2003 Runnymede Trust and individual authors. The opinions expressed by individual authors do not necessarily represent the views of the Runnymede Trust.