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Terms of reference

All Party Group on Ethnic Minority Communities
Terms of Reference
 
Purpose & principles of the group:
The All Party Assembly Group will provide a 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”
(from the Race Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005-2010)
 
This vision will form the parameters of the work of the All Party Assembly Group
and the principles by which it will operate.
 
The All Party Assembly Group will:
• 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 “Cohesion, Sharing and Integration” Programme (once
finalised and agreed upon) as it relates to racial 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 Race Equality Forum,
established as part of the RES.
 
Status of the All Party Assembly Group
The group is now constituted as the Assembly Group. Its status will be reviewed
following the initial set of meetings (late November 2006) to consider the most
effective structure for taking forward the purpose and principles of the group in
the context of political developments.
 
Membership
• MLA
• Representatives of BME communities (invitees)
• Any other groups that have an interest in ethnic minority issues, subject to
approval by the Assembly Group (invitees)
 
Secretariat
Secretariat support will be provided by the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic
Minorities, with support from the political parties as appropriate. This will be
reviewed at the same time as the status of the group.