Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure minutes: 30 August 2023

Attendees and apologies

• Moi Ali, author and expert on communications and marketing
• Dr Addy Adelaine, International Social Worker and expert in action research and inclusive accountability

• Tuoyo Ayiku, Head, Heart of Africa charity and manager, Heart in the Community Café
• Professor Ima Jackson, Co-Chair, Professor of Community Engagement in Research, Social Policy and Infrastructure Development, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Micheal Matovu, Co-Founder of Radiant and Brighter
• Kate Miguda, Professor Ima Jackson’s Mentee
• Dr Mark Wong, Senior Lecturer, Public Policy and Research Methods, Glasgow University 
• Talat Yaqoob, Co-Chair, Independent Consultant and Social Researcher across equalities issues

Apologies

• Ndaye-Lisa Badji, Head of Advocacy and Partnerships, Intercultural Youth Scotland
• Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for London, 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
• Monica Lee-McPherson, Head, Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA)
• Professor Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Gina Netto, Reader, International and Forced Migration, Heriot-Watt University

Scottish Government

• Jeff Macdonald, Secretariat
• Nanjika Nasiiro, Strategic Lead, Equality Division

Items and actions

Accountability report update

• The final accountability report will be sent to Louise Macdonald, Director General Communities; Alison Byrne, Interim Director for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights; and the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Emma Roddick, within the next two weeks. 
• Co-Chairs noted the accountability report should be made public and referred to within the procurement specification. 
• Co-Chairs noted that an interim procurement group should be set up over the next few months to use Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group (AIGG) knowledge to inform the development of the procurement specification.

Update on creating Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS)

• Co-Chairs noted a robust procurement process is required to identify a suitable organisation to host the AROS. 
• Procurement timelines are being developed and will be shared with Co-Chairs and AIGG members, including what specific information can be built into the procurement process.
• Officials noted the procurement process will take into account information and outputs produced by the AIGG.

Community research discussion

• Co-Chairs thanked group members for their community research feedback, noting a community research policy briefing and executive summary will be developed.
• Group member feedback regarding the community research report included discussing the length, accessibility and analysis of the report. A further suggestion included creating separate briefings for both the community and policymakers.
• Once finalised, all community research documents will be made public on the community research website.
• Co-Chairs will request additional resourcing from Scottish Government for AIGG members to support development of the community and policymaker briefings.

Canadian online conference (opportunity to highlight AROS)

• Co-Chairs have been approached regarding liaising the AROS launch with Canadian anti-racism policy initiatives. Group members interested in undertaking this opportunity are to inform Co-Chairs.

Timescale and demands on AIGG moving forward

• Co-Chairs to send recommendation letter to the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees explaining the discussions had around modelling and requesting an external advisory group continues to ensure competent and independent delivery of the launch of the observatory. A further meeting of the AIGG was proposed. 

Actions

• Secretariat to send follow up email to the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) to request community research overspend response to Co-Chairs before 4 October 2023
• Co-Chairs to share final accountability report with officials and Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees in the next two weeks
• Co-Chairs to ask Scottish Government for additional resourcing for AIGG members to support development of the community and policymaker briefings
• Co-Chairs to share Canadian anti-racism contact with group members in order for group members to consider liaising the AROS launch with Canadian anti-racism policy initiatives
• Co-Chairs to send recommendation letter to the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees explaining the discussions had around modelling and requesting an external advisory group continues to ensure competent and independent delivery of the launch of the observatory