Race Equality First Launches New Annual Report
31 July 2008
Race Equality First launched its latest Annual Report at its AGM in July 2008. The report gives a�flavour� of the organisation�s work during the year. Highlights included:
You can download a PDF of the Annual Report Annual report 2008.
Race Equality First Launches new Discrimination Casework Service
16 June 2008
Race Equality First has launched a new �Discrimination Casework Service� for victims of racism living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Come and meet the REF Team and find out about Race Equality First at our Community Drop In events
Cllr Judith Woodman, Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council launched the service, set up by Race Equality First, at a special event at Cardiff County Hall in July 2008.
The service offers victims of racial discrimination and/or racial harassment a number of ways to find help and advice including: monthly day advice sessions at community venues in Cardiff and Barry; monthly evening sessions at community venues in Cardiff; a weekly dedicated telephone advice session, an email and website reporting facility and weekly drop in sessions (without appointment) at Race Equality First. This is in addition to the current service where people can ring up to make appointments to discuss their cases. The advice provided is free, independent and confidential. To find out more telephone 029 2022 4097, email [email protected] or look up the organisation�s website www.refweb.org.uk.
Mohammed Tufail OBE, Director of Race Equality First said,
�Last year 236 people contacted our organisation for assistance because they believed they had been racially discriminated against or racially harassed. There is a clear need for the provision of a specialist Discrimination Casework Service and I am delighted that this new initiative will make us even more accessible to the people and communities that need our help.�
26 February 2008
If you want to find out about Race Equality First you can come and meet our staff at a series of Community Drop in Events all of which will take place between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. REF urges people to sign up to its �Declaration of Unity�
The dates and venues are:
Come along and meet us and tell us about your experience of racism, your community issues, what you are doing about equality, how we can help you.
5 March 2008
10 March 2008
11 March 2008
13 March 2008
17 March 2008
We will give you a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.
13 February 2008
Race Equality First is aiming to collect as many signatures as possible for its �Declaration of Unity� by UN Anti Racism Day on 21 March 2008.
The document calls on organisations and individuals across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to reject division in society and for greater understanding and respect between all sections of the community. REF is holding a Community Consultation on Proposals for Changes to Immigration Rules
Mohammed Tufail OBE, Director of REF said:
�It is important that we maintain unity in these difficult times and recognise that we all have a right to live in a just and fair society where racial, religious or cultural differences exist in an atmosphere of tolerance where everyone is treated equally and fairly regardless of race, colour of skin or religion�.
�Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan is proud of its history as a tolerant place where the diversity of people�s different backgrounds is appreciated and valued and where there are positive relationships between those people. I am certain that this history will allow us to maintain that understanding and mutual respect in testing times.�
You can sign up to the �Declaration of Unity� on the homepage.
13 February 2008
REF is holding a Community Consultation on proposed changes to the immigration rules on Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 6.00 pm. It will take place at Race Equality First, The Friary Centre, The Friary, Cardiff. The immigration system is undergoing major changes. Proposals for overall reform include introducing a pre-entry language requirement for those applying for a spouse visa and planning to settle in the UK. The Home Office is consulting on the new proposals and it is important that all communities and community groups take the opportunity to comment on them as they will have fundamental impact on family life and family union. This is an important opportunity for you to put forward your views on this issue. If you would like to attend please by ring Ben Brown at REF on 029 2022 4097 or email him at: [email protected]. [email protected]
Holocaust Memorial 2008 Exhibition is at Barry Town Hall
25 January 2008
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is hosting the �Holocaust Memorial 2008 Exhibition� at Barry Town Hall from 25 January to 9 February 2008. The exhibition features photographs, film and exhibition panels relating to the Holocaust and also commemorates more recent genocides such as that which took place in Rwanda and the atrocities which are now taking place in Dafur.
There is also an opportunity to see a film on the life and legacy of the famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. Also on show are some of the winning pictures by children from the Vale schools for REF�s 2008 Calendar & Poster Art competition. REF & WLGA hosted a Seminar on Economic Migrants in December 2007
21 January 2008
In December 2007 REF, in co-operation with WLGA, organised an event � �Economic Migrants � Responding to Local Needs� - focused on migrant workers and access to public services in Cardiff. The seminar was very successful and brought together key organisations and individuals to highlight the issues relating to migrant workers in the area and galvanise support for developing future work in addressing the issues faced by members� of the migrant workers community. First Minister chose picture from REF's 2007 Calendar for Christmas Card
Presentations delivered at the event can be found here:
For further details contact:
[email protected]
21 January 2008
First Minister Rhodri Morgan met Anna Howells (aged 10), the winner of Race Equality First�s Schools against racism competition and designer of the card chosen as the First Minister�s official 2007 Christmas card in December. The card was based on Anna�s winning entry for Race Equality First�s Schools against Racism 2007 Calendar & Poster competition. When she won that prize, she was a pupil at Ysgol y Wern in Llanishen, she is now a first year pupil at Ysgol Glantaf. Youngsters promote the race equality message REF�s annual Schools Against Racism Calendar & Poster Competition is well underway. School children across The competition winners will be announced in November and they will be invited to attend one of two special calendar launches in December 2007. For further details contact: [email protected] REF Tactile Sculptures feature in Black History Month Exhibition at Barry Town Hall REF�s Tactile Sculptures are currently on display at The exhibition runs until November 24 and is open Tuesday to Saturday between 11am and 4pm. Find out more about the Tactile Sculptures in the Our Stories section: http://www.refweb.org.uk/stories.asp?page Last updated 31st July 2008
First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: �The message in Anna�s design is especially important at this time of year. Whatever your religion, it�s a time to remember family, friends and those less fortunate than ourselves. Anna sums this up perfectly in her design and this is why we chose it.She is right to promote the message that we do all have a part to play in respecting the diversity of our communities. That is something we should all remember not just at Christmas time but all the year round as well. The theme for the competition was �We�ve All Got Something to Bring to the Party: Celebrate Diversity�. Anna�s picture and 13 others were selected as winning entries from almost 1000 paintings from 29 schools from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The First Minister added, :�I think Anna�s design is very striking and very colourful. That is why it makes such a wonderful Christmas card.�
Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills chose Anna�s picture as a design for the Assembly�s Christmas card 2007 after it appeared in the REF 2007 calendar. The First Minister met Anna on Wednesday 19th December at Ysgol Y Wern, Llanishen to award her with a framed Christmas card and �20 vouchers.
The sculptures are part of a three-pronged exhibition which also include 32 paintings with an African astrological theme and a focus on traditional portraiture by Maivena Bingham, and a family tree tracing back nine generations researched and collated by Jamie Baker.
The sculptures are the result of a year long project between REF and 10 primary schools in