- Conference
- 2012 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 20 September 2011
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes a motion carried at National Black Members Conference in 2008, titled “Black Community Projects in Crisis” that encapsulates problems among young Black youths and the need to maintain the existence of Black community projects. At the time of producing the motion many projects were facing closure and sadly many have since closed owing to Public Sector cuts. The few that are still operating, such as BRAMU (Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit) can barely keep their heads above water.
Conference notes with concern that the West Midlands has one of the highest levels of unemployment in comparison to other parts of the Country. So it is no surprise that civil disturbance had manifested in Birmingham leading to the untimely and unacceptable death of three young men within the Winson Green Community. This understandably has devastated the Community and has had some impact on the good community relation that was built up over many years. It is imperative that we rebuild that relationship and create a more harmonious society for all to live in by engaging and developing strategies that targets the needs of our young Black people as well as raising their aspirations.
Conference further notes that there is evidence to support the fact that community based organisations in collaboration with public services can make real life changing contributions to young Black boys and young Black men by providing contacts with positive role models within the community who are equipped with the ability to focus on the underlying causes of high unemployment and distrust among Black youths including considering ways of resolving such issues.
We cannot afford to sit back and allow the destruction of young lives.
We therefore instruct NBMC to work with the NEC to:-
1.Call upon the Local Government Service Group and Community & Voluntary Service Group to provide assistance on encouraging the Government to provide support for developing the capacity and infrastructure of new and existing Black Voluntary and Community Sector organisations in order to improve service delivery.
2.Work with UNISON Labour Link to highlight the issues faced by many Black Voluntary and Community Sector organisations working to support young Black people and consider ways of removing the barriers for accessing long term funding for such organisations.
3.Liaise with the National Young Members Forum by way of supporting their continued campaign in combatting Youth unemployment and ensuring that work is undertaken in recognition of young Black issues.
4.Raise these issues with the Equality and Human Rights commission to consider strategies to address issues highlighted in this motion.
5. Develop links with the national service groups in LGov & C&V (in Point 1) to produce resources for regions and branch’s to recruit and increase participation amongst Black members in the C&V and therefore raise the level of involvement in community based campaigning in Black communities against the cuts.