Developing National Anti-Racism Infrastructure: Interim Governance Group

Overview

An independent Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure (AIGG) has been established, comprised of people with expertise and lived experience of racism.

The purpose of the group is to: 

• provide independent oversight and to hold Scottish Government accountable for progress against the actions in the Race Equality Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP)
• provide scrutiny and advice on the work to establish a programme of systemic change on race equality
• consider, gather evidence, and propose the model to support the establishment of an independent observatory
• support and advise on the transition to a permanent governance body
• provide advice and feedback to Scottish ministers

The AIGG will operate from April 2022 until May 2023, concluding with the establishment of a permanent external oversight and governance body. As recommended by the Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity this new, independent body should include four elements:

• an Observatory which brings together quantitative and qualitative data on ethnic and racial inequalities in Scotland. This should not only include epidemiological data but also cultural, historical and other socio political and economic factors
• a repository which holds historical and current evidence from arrange of different sources to maintain awareness and inform actions
• collaboration that reflects the consensus between the Scottish Government and all other relevant stakeholders that Scotland needs to better engage with the experiences of those racialised in society
• co-production processes led by those who are most affected by its outcomes

The title of the group has changed from Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racist Infrastructure (IGG) to Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure (AIGG).  The title has changed because explicitly foregrounding the naming of racism is of fundamental importance when progressing anti-racism work.

The AIGG has been extended up to the end of September 2023 to allow further consideration of the anti-racism observatory model.

Secretariat to the AIGG is provided by the Equality and Inclusion Division, Scottish Government.

Members

• Dr Addy Adelaine, International Social Worker and Expert on Action Research and Inclusive Accountability
• Moi Ali, Author and expert on communications and marketing
• Tuoyo Ayiku, Head of the community-based charity Heart of Africa and manager of the Heart in the Community Café
• Ndaye Lisa Badji, Head of Advocacy and Partnerships, Intercultural Youth Scotland
• Dr Halima Begum, CEO Runnymede Trust
• Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for London in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Jatin Haria, Executive Director, Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights
• Professor Ima Jackson, Co-Chair, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University
• Monica Lee-McPherson, Head of Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA)
• Hana Bloedel, Youth Advocacy Lead, Intercultural Youth Scotland (supporting Hazel Peters to participate in the group)
• Micheal Matovu, Co-Founder of Radiant and Brighter
• Professor Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Edinburgh
• Dr Gina Netto, Reader in International and Forced Migration at Heriot-Watt University (expertise in racialised inequity)
• Hazel Peters, young person with anti-racist expertise and lived experience

• Adebusola Ramsay, Information Analyst and expert on racialised data

• Dr Mark Wong, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Research Methods at Glasgow University (expertise in artificial intelligence and ethnicity data collation)

• Talat Yaqoob, Co-Chair, Independent consultant and social researcher across equalities issues

Publications

Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racist Infrastructure: terms of reference