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Search for new community leaders in Liverpool
A GROUNDBREAKING
new initiative to find the black and minority ethnic community
leaders of the future is getting underway in Liverpool. All
political parties on Liverpool City Council have joined forces with
Operation Black Vote, which promotes equality in politics, to
tackle the under-presentation of black and minority ethnic (BME)
communities in the council chamber. At present, just 1 of the
90 councillors in Liverpool is from a black and minority ethnic
group, meaning that the city’s elected members are not
representative of the BME communities. This reflects research
nationally which shows the average councillor is a white man aged
58.
The city council has now launched a search for up to 10 people over
the age of 17 who will spend the next 6 months shadowing councillors
from Liverpool’s political parties. This will include being part of
constituency surgeries and attending council meetings, including
working groups and select committees. The idea is that it will
help them get to a position where they will be able to be active
within a political party, and they will be encouraged to put
themselves forward to stand as a local councillor.
Council leader Warren Bradley said:- “It is absolutely crucial
that the people who make decisions about major issues involving
local people are representative of the communities they serve.
Liverpool has a very diverse population, but the council chamber is
dominated by people who are largely from a similar background and
culture. This simply has to change."
Councillor Peter Millea, executive member for equalities, said:-
“The under-representation has led to a feeling in the BME
community that their voice is not heard. While this is not
unique to Liverpool, we are determined to take active steps to
change this situation. We have made huge strides in recent
years in making our workforce more representative of the community –
we now need to do the same with elected members.”
It is hoped that the shadows will become community role models,
informing and inspiring people from a black and minority ethnic
background to engage with the city council. Candidates need to
be enthusiastic about politics and have an understanding about the
main social and political issues within the African, Asian or
Caribbean communities.
Councillor Joe Anderson, leader of the Opposition on Liverpool City
Council, said:- “The Labour group is absolutely committed to
this excellent initiative and we are playing a full and active role
in it. We desperately need to improve the diversity of
political representation on the city council. It is absolutely
vital that we engage as many people as possible in the democratic
process so that they are involved in decisions made by the council
which impact on their lives and those of people around them.”
Andrew Nembhard, Liverpool City Council’s Head of Equal
Opportunities, said:- “All of the political parties in
Liverpool are supporting this innovative project and are committed
to making it a success. I would encourage anyone from the
black or minority ethnic community in Liverpool who believes they
have something to offer to put themselves forward for this scheme.”
Successful candidates will spend their time learning how the council
works, all aspects of the decision making process and the life of a
local councillor. They will need to be able to commit to at
least 8 working days to the project over the next 6 months.
Although there is no payment for the scheme, they will receive
expenses.
Ashok Viswanathan from Operation Black Vote said:- “21st
century Britain is a kaleidoscope of cultures and communities that
includes those of African, Asian and Caribbean descent, it is now
time that these groups are represented in the corridors of power.
For too long, our democratic and decision making structures have not
looked like the people that they serve. By running this ground
breaking scheme we will identify and nurture the political stars
that we know are out there and who want to play and full and
positive role in the future of Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council, by working with Operation Black Vote, is
blazing the trail in ensuring that the next generation of
councillors and power brokers look like the people and reflect the
future of Liverpool. It’s not too late to apply if you believe
you can make that difference.”
People interested in the Operation Black Vote leadership programme
should call 0208 983 5426 or by
email. The closing
date for applications is 10 March 08, with interviews later that month and
induction to the scheme taking place in May. A graduation
ceremony for those who have taken part will be held in November. |
GOOD CHILDHOOD INQUIRY REVEALS MOUNTING CONCERN OVER
COMMERCIALISATION OF CHILDHOOD
A public
opinion poll published Tuesday 26 February, by The Children's
Society, as part of its ongoing Good Childhood Inquiry, reveals a
consensus among adults in the North of England that increasing
commercialisation is damaging children's well-being.
61% believed that young people's self-esteem is damaged by the
media's negative coverage of their age group.
The poll, conducted by GfK NOP, also highlighted adults' concern about various areas of
children's lifestyles, with 60% saying that the Government should
ban the advertising of unhealthy food and 68% agreeing that violent
video games make children more aggressive.
89% of Northerners
felt that children nowadays are more materialistic than in past
generations.
Evidence submitted to the inquiry from children
themselves suggests that they do feel under pressure to keep up with
the latest trends.
An overwhelming majority (90%) of adults in
the region thought that advertising to children at Christmas puts
pressure on parents to spend more than they can afford.
This could
put parents and families at risk of debt in the early months of the
new year and beyond.
The Children's Society commissioned the GfK NOP poll to complement
the launch of a summary of the evidence submitted to the inquiry on
its 4th theme; children's lifestyles.
Professionals and members of
the public submitted evidence on a variety of issues, ranging from
places to play to children's diets but a major theme emerging from
their comments was concern about the commercialisation of childhood.
Dr. Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury, patron of the
inquiry said:- "Children should be encouraged to value
themselves for who they are as people rather than what they own.
The
selling of lifestyles to children creates a culture of material
competitiveness and promotes acquisitive individualism at the
expense of the principles of community and cooperation."
Professor Philip Graham, Emeritus Professor of Child Psychiatry at
The Institute of Child Health, London and an inquiry panel member,
believes that commercial pressures may have worrying psychological
effects on children:- "One factor that may be leading to
rising mental health problems is the increasing degree to which
children and young people are preoccupied with possessions; the
latest in fashionable clothes and electronic equipment.
Evidence both from the United States and from the UK suggests
that those most influenced by commercial pressures also show higher
rates of mental health problems." said Professor
Graham who is leading the inquiry's lifestyle theme.
Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children's Society said:-
"A crucial question raised by the inquiry is whether childhood
should be a space where developing minds are free from concentrated
sales techniques.
As adults we have to take responsibility for the
current level of marketing to children.
To accuse children of being
materialistic in such a culture is a cop out.
Unless we question our
own behaviour as a society we risk creating a generation who are
left unfulfilled through chasing unattainable lifestyles."
Over the next 12 months the inquiry will hold meetings on the
remaining themes of health and values before publishing its final
report in early 2009.
The public can contribute to The Good Childhood Inquiry by logging
on to
www.hundredsandthousands.org.uk
and sharing their childhood memories.
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