Belfast is to receive its first “race champion” to promote the inclusion and visibility of black and ethnic minority groups in all walks of life across the city.
At Belfast City Council’s recent meeting of its Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, elected members heard an update on proposals to develop a Race Equality and Diversity Action Plan and appoint a Race Champion for the city.
It follows an original proposal by the Lord Mayor, Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl for the introduction of the Race Champion role and a Sinn Fein motion, proposed by Councillor Claire Canavan, calling for Belfast to become a “racism free zone,” to highlight race inequalities and racism in the city.
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Following that UUP Councillor John Kyle proposed working towards Belfast being recognised as a “City of Sanctuary,” to provide a welcome and safe place for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. He also proposed a Race Action Plan for the council to review its diverse workforce strategy.
A council report states: “Consultation with black and ethnic minority groups in the community, and a good relations audit, have indicated that groups and people from black and ethnic minority groups find it challenging to engage with official structures, and difficult to play a full and equal part in civic life - this is reflected in the statistics/data.
“They report that while positive relationships have been developed at community level with groups and individuals through council programmes or through relationships with particular officers, black and ethnic communities find it difficult to have their voices represented at decision making level.”
It adds: “A review of current arrangements and programmes of work is required to identify where improvements can be made to promote the inclusion and visibility of black and ethnic minority groups in our workforce, to improve access to council services and elected members, and to encourage the participation of black and ethnic minority groups in civic life.”
The council’s Corporate Management team will nominate a chief officer for the role of Race Champion, who will then establish and chair the Race Equality and Diversity Action Group.
This group will oversee the development of the Race Action Plan, which will have a threefold purpose: to attract more ethnic minority workers to the councils and support existing ethnic minority staff; to promote access of council services to ethnic minority customers; and to improve ethnic minority inclusion in public and community decision making.
The council will also sign up to the national Race at Work Charter, which will require it to capture ethnicity data and publicise progress, commit at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, and take action that supports ethnic minority career progression.
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