Menu
01/12/2022
'Call For Action' On Inequalities Experienced By Minority Communities
The inequalities experienced by Belfast's black, Asian, minority ethnic and Traveller communities, should act as a "call to action" for Belfast City Council and its partners, according to new research published today.
The study, which was commissioned by the Council, Belfast Trust and the Public Health Agency (PHA), was carried out by a team of researchers who interviewed more than 100 Belfast residents from a minority ethnic or migrant background.
Many of those who took part in the study said they continued to face racism, isolation and poverty with this impacting on how they participate in civic, political, social and economic life.
The findings were launched at Belfast City Hall today.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black said: "No one could deny that this research makes for very sobering reading and it should be a call to action for everyone in the room here today, including Council. Clearly we can, and should do better; and today we gave a commitment that we will."
"Belfast is a diverse city, and I'm proud to say we are a City of Sanctuary; but the experiences documented in this report challenges us and our partners to reflect on what it means for our organisations, and to make sure we work together to do all we can to create a city of equals and address issues around racism, prejudice and discrimination," Councillor Black added.
"Council has already started work on a Race Equality Action Plan and our community plan for the city (the Belfast Agenda) has an inclusive and diverse city at its heart. We have also adopted the Race at Work Charter which gives a commitment to promoting racial equality in our workforce and we are reviewing underrepresentation in our own staff. We will also look at identifying any inequalities in service delivery, and looking at how we can ensure our decision-making is inclusive.
"The findings also show what we already know; that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and Travellers, are not represented in key institutions and boardrooms, so there is much work to be done to remove the barriers that exist and encourage better participation in all aspects of civic life."
Some of the key findings of the study were:
• inequalities exist across education, work and access to services
• children and young people are at risk of being bullied because of their ethnicity, faith and/or background
• people born outside Northern Ireland find it difficult to have their qualifications and skills recognised
• lack of housing stock is a barrier to integration and inclusion
• many residents from minority ethnic/migrant communities are trapped in low-paid jobs and find it difficult to progress in their career, very often because of institutional inequalities and barriers
Dr Joanne McClean, director of public health at the Public Health Agency, said: "The PHA strongly welcomes this report and its recommendations. Any real change to the complex issues experienced by people from ethnic minorities will require genuine partnership working across organisations and across sectors, and we are already looking into how we can work in a more integrated way to address some of these key issues."
Bryan Nelson, co-director of public health at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, added: "Belfast Health and Social Care Trust welcomes the publication of this research and we are committed to ensuring that health and social care services are accessible to everyone."
One of the speakers at today's event was Dr Livingstone Thompson, chair of the African Caribbean Support Organisation NI (ACSONI).
Welcoming the report, Dr Thompson said: "We are particularly keen to see how the issues, especially relating to housing will be addressed. Mitigating the risk of destitution is particularly imperative."
The study, which was commissioned by the Council, Belfast Trust and the Public Health Agency (PHA), was carried out by a team of researchers who interviewed more than 100 Belfast residents from a minority ethnic or migrant background.
Many of those who took part in the study said they continued to face racism, isolation and poverty with this impacting on how they participate in civic, political, social and economic life.
The findings were launched at Belfast City Hall today.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black said: "No one could deny that this research makes for very sobering reading and it should be a call to action for everyone in the room here today, including Council. Clearly we can, and should do better; and today we gave a commitment that we will."
"Belfast is a diverse city, and I'm proud to say we are a City of Sanctuary; but the experiences documented in this report challenges us and our partners to reflect on what it means for our organisations, and to make sure we work together to do all we can to create a city of equals and address issues around racism, prejudice and discrimination," Councillor Black added.
"Council has already started work on a Race Equality Action Plan and our community plan for the city (the Belfast Agenda) has an inclusive and diverse city at its heart. We have also adopted the Race at Work Charter which gives a commitment to promoting racial equality in our workforce and we are reviewing underrepresentation in our own staff. We will also look at identifying any inequalities in service delivery, and looking at how we can ensure our decision-making is inclusive.
"The findings also show what we already know; that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and Travellers, are not represented in key institutions and boardrooms, so there is much work to be done to remove the barriers that exist and encourage better participation in all aspects of civic life."
Some of the key findings of the study were:
• inequalities exist across education, work and access to services
• children and young people are at risk of being bullied because of their ethnicity, faith and/or background
• people born outside Northern Ireland find it difficult to have their qualifications and skills recognised
• lack of housing stock is a barrier to integration and inclusion
• many residents from minority ethnic/migrant communities are trapped in low-paid jobs and find it difficult to progress in their career, very often because of institutional inequalities and barriers
Dr Joanne McClean, director of public health at the Public Health Agency, said: "The PHA strongly welcomes this report and its recommendations. Any real change to the complex issues experienced by people from ethnic minorities will require genuine partnership working across organisations and across sectors, and we are already looking into how we can work in a more integrated way to address some of these key issues."
Bryan Nelson, co-director of public health at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, added: "Belfast Health and Social Care Trust welcomes the publication of this research and we are committed to ensuring that health and social care services are accessible to everyone."
One of the speakers at today's event was Dr Livingstone Thompson, chair of the African Caribbean Support Organisation NI (ACSONI).
Welcoming the report, Dr Thompson said: "We are particularly keen to see how the issues, especially relating to housing will be addressed. Mitigating the risk of destitution is particularly imperative."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 October 2024
Belfast Named Most Sustainable Visitor Destination In UK And Ireland
Belfast has been recognised as the most sustainable visitor destination in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 2024 GDS-Index. The city ranked alongside global cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen in the Top 10.
Belfast Named Most Sustainable Visitor Destination In UK And Ireland
Belfast has been recognised as the most sustainable visitor destination in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 2024 GDS-Index. The city ranked alongside global cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen in the Top 10.
15 March 2011
Garnerville Community Project Welcomed
The first meeting of a group established to deliver improved services in the Knocknagoney/Garnerville area of East Belfast has been welcomed.
Garnerville Community Project Welcomed
The first meeting of a group established to deliver improved services in the Knocknagoney/Garnerville area of East Belfast has been welcomed.
16 November 2023
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
02 March 2022
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
17 August 2021
BCC Leader Questions Funding Of West Belfast Festival Over 'Pro-IRA Singing'
The DUP leader of Belfast City Council has questioned the funding of West Belfast Festival over alleged "pro-IRA singing" at one of their events. Councillor Ald Brian Kingston raised the issued after it was alleged that the crowed at a concert at the Festival chanted "ooh ah up the Ra".
BCC Leader Questions Funding Of West Belfast Festival Over 'Pro-IRA Singing'
The DUP leader of Belfast City Council has questioned the funding of West Belfast Festival over alleged "pro-IRA singing" at one of their events. Councillor Ald Brian Kingston raised the issued after it was alleged that the crowed at a concert at the Festival chanted "ooh ah up the Ra".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
