How are the government spending cuts affecting your RCO?
The Refugee Council is carrying out research on the UK government spending cuts policy as they affect refugee community organisations (RCOs). We are very keen to hear about your experiences which we hope to use as a platform for media work and evidence for lobbying during the political party conferences in September 2010. The more we know about the difficulties facing your RCO, the better positioned we are to respond.
Rights of Women’s new research highlights concerns about UKBA responses to violence against women
New Rights of Women research Measuring up? UK compliance with international commitments on violence against women in England and Wales assesses current UK policy and law relating to violence against women – and how this measures up to UK commitments under international law. Rights of Women’s Cate Briddick discusses the research in Women’s Asylum News – read the article at www.asylumaid.org.uk/data/files/publications/139/WAN_August.pdf
Refugee children share their experiences on Women’s Hour
Three fantastic teenagers who came to the UK with their families as refugees have talked about their memories of fleeing their countries for Radio 4’s Women’s Hour. Their mature and sometimes even humorous accounts are a refreshingly positive example of how families have been able to rebuild their lives in the UK. Listen to their stories at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tc6ts#p009g9d8
Where do the Labour leader candidates stand on violence against women?
The End Violence Against Women Campaign recently asked the five Labour party members who are standing in the leadership contest how they would tackle violence against women and girls. Do their responses measure up? Read them at www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/index.php
The Basis Project invites you to attend our London Region Conference ‘Supporting Refugee Community Organisations’ (RCOs) role in integration in London’. The event will be held on Monday 27 September at 10 am-4.30 pm at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square. This conference seeks to encourage dialogue among representatives of RCOs, funders and policymakers, to generate practical responses for long-term sustainability of the RCO sector in the current policy and funding climate.
The Basis Project, led by Refugee Council and Refugee Action and supported by the Big Lottery Fund, works closely with funders and other mainstream bodies to increase their understanding of RCOs. As part of this work, the London Region Conference aims to build awareness of the impact of external environmental changes on RCO development.
At this event you will be able to hear directly from Richard Barnes the Deputy Mayor of London alongside an RCO representative and the Refugee Council. The Deputy Mayor will present an overview of the current challenges and opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees in London, reflections on the London Refugee Integration Strategy and the role of RCOs in the integration process.
A series of panels and participatory workshops will cover a broad range of topics, including the London Refugee Integration Strategy; RCO support from infrastructure organisations; alternative forms of sustainable funding, including commissioning and social enterprise; and an interactive Funding Café in which participants can meet and engage with funding representatives. Participants will have the opportunity to update their knowledge, increase their understanding of the challenges ahead, and consider how these can best be met, both individually and collectively.
Please complete the booking form and return to Alain Munyangabe at the Basis Project to confirm your attendance prior to 10th September, 2010. We have only 120 places which we will allocate on a first come, first served basis, so please do let us know if you would like to come as soon as possible. For any further information, please contact Alain on 0207 346 1297 or alain.munyangabe@refugeecouncil.org.uk
Supporting Refugee Community Organisations’ (RCOs) role in integration in London 27 September 2010
The Basis Project is delighted to announce that Richard Barnes, the Deputy Mayor of London, will speak at their upcoming London Region Conference. This event seeks to encourage dialogue among representatives of RCOs, funders and policymakers, to generate practical responses for long-term sustainability of the RCO sector in the current policy and funding climate. For further information or to register, please contact Alain Munyangabe on 0207 346 1297 or alain.munyangabe@refugeecouncil.org.uk
News
Refugee Council and Community Links research about informal working
RCOs are invited to complete a questionnaire on informal working in refugee communities. The findings will help the Greater London Authority implement their ‘London Enriched’ strategy. Completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw for your organisation. The deadline is 10 September and your answers will be confidential. To take part visit www.survey.bris.ac.uk/refugeecouncil/informaleconomy
Ministry of Justice plans to cut legal aid for asylum seekers
The Refugee Council responded to reports this week that the Ministry of Justice is planning to slash legal aid for asylum seekers appealing against negative decisions. Refugee Council Chief Executive, Donna Covey, said “This is unacceptable”. For more information visit www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/press/2010/200810_news_legal_aid_asylum_seekers
Settlement Protection: five year reviews and indefinite leave to remain
Refugees granted refugee or humanitarian protection status after 30 August 2005 will need to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the month before their limited leave expires. The first cases of these will reach the end of their leave on August 30 2010, and it is extremely important that people submit their application before their existing leave expires. A Refugee Council briefing note is available at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2010/settlement_protection and translated information is available at http://languages.refugeecouncil.org.uk/english/summary.htm#27
Voice your concerns about government spending cuts now
RCOs face an uncertain future following the public funding cuts announced by the government. The more we know about the difficulties facing RCOs, the better positioned we are to respond. Is your RCO facing tough times as a result of public funding cuts? If so we would like to hear your anecdotal evidence. Please email your evidence or any queries to Jean-Pierre Mafutala at Jeanpierre.mafutala@refugeecouncil.org.uk
Jonathan Ellis, Refugee Council Head of Policy and Development, speaking at a conference organised by the Basis Project, Manchester Refugee Support Network, Greater Manchester BME Network and the TRIO Policy and Information Network, July 2010.
Transcript
Jonathan Ellis
This conference on representation is so important.
The Basis Project has been running for three years, now. Promoting infrastructure – governance, finance, fundraising, project management – all important stuff. We need strong and vibrant refugee community organisations (RCOs) in this country.
But it’s not an end in itself. I would argue that we are trying to build up RCOs to deliver services, to engage, to campaign and to make sure the voices of asylum seekers and refugees are heard through organisations led by asylum seekers and refugees.
The political landscape is in a state of flux at the moment. Will local ways of engaging such as Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements continue. How will the new coalition government develop things? Will things be devolved downwards? Will there be much greater flexibility? How will local government take things forward?
I think we’re going to see more and more local flexibility. And what’s so important is that you’re studying things locally, in your own local authority area and asking who has got power locally. Those of you who’ve had contact with Citizens UK will know that they talk so much about power. I don’t think it’s just about power but power is important. Who has power? Who has power locally? How are they influenced? Do you know who influences them? What are the routes into the people who have power?
I think those of us who are campaigners should have an inherent curiosity about power and how the system works. Because if we want to change something we need to be able to understand the system.
Last week I was at a training session for NCVO and I asked 18 young campaigners what books they were reading to develop their political understanding. And they could have said Peter Mandelson’s book or Andrew Rawnsley’s book or the great diaries by Ooona King or Chris Mullin – but none of them was reading anything. Maybe I’m just a sad political junkie but I think if you want to understand about power and politics there’s something about learning and understanding, both locally and nationally.
Within RCOs you should be so proud of the work you do and you offer local representatives such a marvellous thing – a route into your community. And you should be proud about that and you should engage on equal terms. Don’t be shy, don’t hold back. Be proud and be assertive. Because you have something quite special and a good local representative will want to engage with you.
I must just pause for a moment, because we’ve got Bini with us from Regional Refugee Forum North East. And what’s happening in the north east is the most wonderful example of what we should be doing nationally, where we have a refugee-led forum representing RCOs. It has such an energy and a vitality that you can’t ignore it – it’s fantastic. And it’s an inspiring model of a proud, vibrant, representative, democratic refugee-led organisation. And if you are ever feeling depressed, go up to Gateshead and you will be inspired as I am when I go there. That is the future, and organisations like mine have a key role to support the development of such refugee-led organisations.
I think partnership is so important. At a national level we need to be working much more collaboratively than we have done, and we are trying to change. The Basis Project has been a brilliant example where Refugee Council and Refugee Action, the two national sister agencies, have shown the value when we come together. We are stronger together. And I think it’s a powerful lesson to the leaders of Refugee Council and Refugee Action about what the two organisations can achieve together. But it’s not just national, it’s local – you are stronger working with others. So who are the organisations locally you can work with, not just in the refugee sector but broadening out? Because there is strength in unity.
I hope from today that there’s a real campaigning spirit and a sense of campaigning zeal. That willingness to speak out. And now is the time to speak out – [with politics in a] state of flux, in this critical [political] vacuum. And to make sure you are focussed – what is the thing that outrages your community the most? Focus on the problem and the solution, and have evidence to back up your case.
I often talk about the ‘Tea tests’ when I speak about campaigning. That you touch someone and make a connection – that’s the ‘t’. You enthuse them – that’s the ‘e’. And the ‘a’ is that you get them to act. Can you touch and enthuse someone and then get them to act? Can you distil your campaign message to a 15-second soundbite so that when you’re stuck in the lift with a leading counsellor you can get it across to them?
Above all, keep chipping away. And use those brilliant free national resources. Look at what the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) campaigning effectiveness programme. Look at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation – brilliant free resources for campaigning. Look at what the Carnegie UK Trust is doing around power and understanding power.
We live in challenging times, but campaigning, representation, influence and voice have never been more important. With financial instability and political instability we all need to be passionate, we need to enjoy what we’re doing, have a willingness to work with others – be consistently seeking allies, but above all never give up. Our fight in the defence of asylum seekers and refugees is so important we must never give up, despite the challenging circumstances.
A regional event from the Basis Project, to be held at Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham City Centre on Thursday September 23rd 2010.
This event is aimed at any one involved in or interested in supporting, engaging with or knowing more about the work of Refugee Community Organisations in the West Midlands.
This is a networking opportunity for “capacity building support” organisations from both Voluntary and Statutory sectors to meet Refugee Community Organisations to share knowledge and experience.
The Basis Project invites you to their London Region Conference ‘Supporting Refugee Community Organisations’ (RCOs) role in integration in London’ on 27 September 2010.
This event seeks to encourage dialogue among representatives of RCOs, funders and policymakers, to generate practical responses for long-term sustainability of the RCO sector in the current policy and funding climate.
Supporting Refugee Community Organisations’ (RCOs) role in integration in London 27 September 2010
The Basis Project would like to invite you to their London Region Conference. This event seeks to encourage dialogue among representatives of RCOs, funders and policymakers, to generate practical responses for long-term sustainability of the RCO sector in the current policy and funding climate. For further information or to register, please contact Alain Munyangabe on 0207 346 1297 or alain.munyangabe@refugeecouncil.org.uk
‘Big Conversation’: Event for RCOs and development workers in the North East 9 September 2010, 9.30am – 3.30pm, Newcastle
Basis, Regional Forum North East and NERS invite you to this ‘Big Conversation’ to share and exchange experiences, perspectives, challenges and ideas about what works in supporting the development of Refugee RCOs. No speeches, no presentations - just RCOs and development workers talking together, listening, sharing, learning and problem solving. If you would like to attend, please contact Herbert Dirahu at herbert.dirahu@refugeevoices.org.uk or call 01642 232446, or for more information visit www.thebasisproject.org.uk/events/northeast-big-conversation
News
Refugees into Teaching clients feature in Times Educational Supplement (TES)
Clients of the Refugee Council’s Refugees into Teaching (RiT) project appeared in last week’s TES, in an article describing the difficulties that refugee teachers can experience in finding appropriate employment in Britain. RiT provides support to those who are struggling to become qualified or are in need of advice To read the full article visit www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6053540
Refugee Council produces briefing on recent developments relating to the plans to return unaccompanied children to Afghanistan
This briefing explains the latest developments by the UK Border Agency to establish a returns programme for unaccompanied children. Initially focusing on the potential return of boys aged 16 and 17 who face forced removal to Afghanistan, the briefing gives the latest update on the progress of the plans including the changes being made to the asylum process for children. www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2010/unaccompanied_children_afghanistan
Voice your concerns about government spending cuts now
RCOs face an uncertain future following the public funding cuts announced by the government. The more we know about the difficulties facing RCOs, the better positioned we are to respond. Is your RCO facing tough times as a result of public funding cuts? If so we would like to hear your anecdotal evidence. Please email your evidence or any queries to Jean-Pierre Mafutala at Jeanpierre.mafutala@refugeecouncil.org.uk
Settlement Protection: five year reviews and indefinite leave to remain
Refugees granted refugee or humanitarian protection status after 30 August 2005 will need to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the month before their limited leave expires. The first cases of these will reach the end of their leave on August 30 2010, and it is extremely important that people submit their application before their existing leave expires. A Refugee Council briefing note is available at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2010/settlement_protection and translated information is available at http://languages.refugeecouncil.org.uk/english/summary.htm#27
Date: 9th September at the Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle (09.30-15.30)
The Basis Project, Regional Refugee Forum for the North East and North of England Refugee Service invite you to a ‘Big Conversation’ to share and exchange experiences, perspectives, challenges and ideas about what works in supporting the development of Refugee led Community Organisations (RCOs).
No speeches, no presentations - just RCOs and development workers talking together, listening, sharing, learning and problem solving. Our joint commitment is to share learning, discuss practical realities and ideas for the challenges faced by all, so as to help maximise RCOs’ uptake of local development support to enable them to realise their potential and maximise the impact of funding.
In July 2010 a conference in Manchester organised by the Basis Project, Manchester Refugee Support Network, Greater Manchester BME Network and the TRIO Policy and Information Network looked at refugee communities and participation.
Conference on Refugees and Representation – Manchester, July 2010
Keynote speaker: Jonathan Ellis, Director of Policy and Development at the Refugee Council
This conference on representation is so important.
The Basis Project has been running for three years, now. Promoting infrastructure – governance, finance, fundraising, project management – all important stuff. We need strong and vibrant refugee community organisations (RCOs) in this country.
But it’s not an end in itself. I would argue that we are trying to build up RCOs to deliver services, to engage, to campaign and to make sure the voices of asylum seekers and refugees are heard through organisations led by asylum seekers and refugees.
The political landscape is in a state of flux at the moment. Will local ways of engaging such as Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements continue. How will the new coalition government develop things? Will things be devolved downwards? Will there be much greater flexibility? How will local government take things forward?
I think we’re going to see more and more local flexibility. And what’s so important is that you’re studying things locally, in your own local authority area and asking who has got power locally. Those of you who’ve had contact with Citizens UK will know that they talk so much about power. I don’t think it’s just about power but power is important. Who has power? Who has power locally?
… We live in challenging times, but campaigning, representation, influence and voice have never been more important. With financial instability and political instability we all need to be passionate, we need to enjoy what we’re doing, have a willingness to work with others – be consistently seeking allies, but above all never give up. Our fight in the defence of asylum seekers and refugees is so important we must never give up, despite the challenging circumstances.
Fergal McCullough
I’m the Basis Project Organisational Development Officer for the North West. This is a conference on refugees and representation that I’ve put together with the Greater Manchester BME Network project, Manchester Refugee Support Network and the TRIO Project.
Pamela Grant – National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
The policy context for the past 10 years has been localism and it’s about government shifting powers from Westminster to local areas. Because local areas know best about how to solve some of these intractable problems.
It was the New Labour government that pushed and developed localism and it’s all about devolving power from the centre to local people because you know what these issues are and how to solve them. It’s also about the expertise of public bodies at a local level – local authorities, primary care trusts, the police. And private business. It’s all about people getting together at a local level to work on some of these issues.
Now we have the coalition government. And the words, in some respects, are still the same. It’s all about giving power away from the centre to local people. It’s about giving councils power and it’s still about increasing citizens’ involvement to improve services.
Sharmarke Jama
I’m with the Manchester Somali Youth Forum – we’re a recently constituted organisation with an office in Moss Side – that’s a deprived part of Manchester. We’re currently focusing on three main issues: lack of employment, gang activities, and education.
Angel Kaseka
I work with the Manchester Congolese Organisation (MACO). We started the organisation officially last year although it started informally before that. I came to this meeting today because we have been getting training from Fergal and the Basis Project to help us with organisational matters so that we can run the organisation in a professional and strong way.
Sharmarke Jama
We’ve come up against a few barriers in the short period we’ve been around. One of the main ones has been trying to convince the council that we are a large population – the data is not out there and we have ambiguous numbers about the population in Manchester. It’s stated as about 20,000 but I’m sure it’s a lot more than that. It comes down to the census which we feel we’ve not been engaged with about. Positions of community advisor have been created in London, but that’s not been looked at outside of the capital, even though we have large populations of Somalis in Wales, the West Midlands and in the North West. If you look at the history you can trace some Somali communities in this country back to the 18th and 19th Centuries – so we have the links but haven’t had the engagement that we should have had from the council.
Angel Kaseka
We are becoming a voice – I cannot say we are already there, but we are in the process of becoming that voice because if I look at the history of the Congolese here in Manchester, we’ve been here for more than 20 years already. But to come together to form a strong community which can address issues which Congolese are facing in their daily lives – we are still in the process, I would say. I believe that with training like this, we’ll be able to become that voice.
Fergal McCullough
I think one of the biggest problems around engagement and representation – for any organisation, let alone a refugee community organisations – is the language, which is very off-putting. The structures are quite bureaucratic and quite top-down and they’re very, very confusing.
Nathan Banana
My organisation is called Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe and we focus on trying to re-skill Zimbabweans so that they are ready to reintegrate into Zimbabwean society when things go back to normal. We’ve come to this conference to see if we can network with other groups with similar objectives, and also to get some knowledge about what goes on with RCOs in the north west.
Bijou Kamba
My organisation is Home Hearts UK (?) and we are working with refugees and asylum seekers in the Congolese community.
Nathan Banana
I feel that already access to funding is very limited for us as a new organisation so what we are looking at now is co-operating with other groups who are also dealing with communities in our area so that we can maybe apply for funding together and then share whatever resources we have.
Bijou Kamba
Today’s conference is very useful and very interesting for me and for my organisation because we are French speakers and a lot of asylum seekers who come from Congo don’t speak English so they don’t go out. But this conference is very open. And it is going to help us to go further.
The Basis Project Run in partnership by the Refugee Council and Refugee Action, the Basis Project is working with Refugee Community Organisations across England. Read more on our website. Contact us.
