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About the All Party Group

The All Party Group on Ethnic Minority Communities (formerly All Party Assembly Group on Ethnic Minority Communities) has developed to provide an effective and crucial forum for dialogue between Political Parties and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups to work together towards the following vision:

“A society in which racial diversity is supported, understood, valued and respected, where racism in any of its forms is not tolerated and where we live together as a society and enjoy equality of opportunity and equal protection” (Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland, 2005-2010)

This vision forms the parameters of the work of the All Party  Group and the principles by which it operates.

The All Party Group:

• On the basis of key priorities identified by the group, monitor and support the implementation of the Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland (RES) and the ‘Shared Future’ policy as it relates to Race Equality;

• Consider, identify and take forward actions that Political Parties can take, individually, collectively and internally, in pursuance of the vision outlined above;

• Consider, identify and take forward recommendations for action by Government in pursuance of the vision outlined above;

• Have as a primary focus devolved (transferred) matters, however the group will consider reserved and excepted matters when it considers that they are a priority;

Consider methods for liaison with the work of the Racial Equality Forum, established as part of the RES.

The All Party Group on Ethnic Minority Communities became an officially constituted group of the Assembly in June 2008.

We are delighted that membership of the All Party  Group comes from a number of Political Parties and representatives of BME communities.  The political parties currently represented on the All Party Assembly Group are DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP, SDLP, Alliance Party, Green Party and PUP.

There are four positions of office bearer in the APG on Ethnic Minority Communities: Chair, Deputy-chair, Treasurer and Secretary. These positions are held by political representatives and are rotated on a six-monthly basis.

Monthly meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at 12.30pm except during Assembly recess.