Future Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland: Design Advisory Group minutes - September 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Arshia Ramzan, Scottish Government Anti Racism Observatory for Scotland Project Officer
• Prof. Ima Jackson, Professor of Community Engagement in Research, Social Policy and Infrastructure Development
• Dr. Mark Wong, Co-Chair of Design Advisory Group, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Research Methods and Social and Urban Policy Subject Group Lead, University of Glasgow
• Micheal Matovu, Co-Chair of Design Advisory Group, Co-Founder and Director of Radiant and Brighter Community Interest Company
• Miura Lima, Youth Advocacy Lead at Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS)
• Monica Lee-MacPherson, Head of SHIMCA (Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association) Inverness
• Ndaye-Lisa Badji-Churchill, Advocacy Officer at Shelter Scotland and Volunteer Manager at Black Girls Hike C.I.C
• Nusa C Parinussa, Founder-Director of ID.Y CIC
• Olalekan Oyedepo, Researcher, Co-Founder and Project coordinator at the Hope Project Scotland
• Rahela Cirpaci, Community Leader at Romano Lav
• Samina Ansari, Former CEO Amina - Muslim Women's Resource Centre
• Zaki El Salahi, Freelancer in 'Dark Matter Education' and PhD Candidate

Apologies

• Dr. Ankna Arockiam, Lecturer, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Artistic Director of Westbourne Music
• Adebusola Ramsay, Visual Artist, Independent Researcher and Data Linkage Practitioner
• Shulamite Ezechi, CEO of ANYISO

 

Items and actions

Discussion points

Design Advisory Group (DAG) operations

• introductions from the group as the user experience researchers and community engagement consultants recruited via Impact Funding Partners (IFP) -who joined for the first twenty minutes
• the principles and ways of working document of the DAG was shared. A discussion that further explains behaviours and values the DAG followed
• finance update: SG moving to a new Human Resources (HR) and Finance system so payments will be made at the end of October/November. Apologies for the delay
• DAG seek further clarity about Scottish Government (SG) Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) process. Discussed and agreed it would be helpful to get more information from SG about the full process of engaging with other organisations. DAG’s understanding is that the EQIA has to be completed before a host organisation can be procured
• SG Stakeholder event update – This will now be a series of events from September to October which will be smaller discussions. SG will present what resourcing for national “race” equalities work. They will look for what people want SG to do. DAG will contribute once SG have communicated their ambitions. The event will remain a SG event. DAG discussing future AROS will be a section to help share understanding
• ministerial meeting went well. Met at parliament in person
• update on community engagement fund processes provided to DAG. A weekly short life working group (SLWG) has been established to support IFP’s administration of the anti-racism community fund
• update on the procurement, the moderation date has been changed to 28th of October. Host dates have been pushed back to January. Original deadlines have been pushed back. Concerns noted about the impact of these delays on community trust and expectation
• comms and creative technologist roles have been filled
• safeguarding – SG have asked what support DAG members already have available from their employers, if they have an employer. SG seeking a yes or no answer from each member
• DAG members expressed considerable concerns about the ongoing challenges of anti-racism work and collective concern about the national landscape and risks of harm to those working to address racism

Thanks and close

The co-chairs thanked everyone for their participation in the discussions and encouraged members to get in touch if anyone has any suggestions or concerns.

Actions

• ensure transition to new payment systems in SG is effective and does not create delays for members
• seek further clarity in relation to the SG EQIA process
• determine what is available to safeguard DAG in relation to their roles developing national anti-racism infrastructure in an increasingly hostile environment
• encourage DAG participation in SLWG and support processes for consultant staff