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

Attendees and apologies

• Adebusola Ramsay, Visual Artist, Independent Researcher and Data Linkage Practitioner
• Arshia Ramzan (SG Project Office Scottish Government)
• 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
• 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 
• Rupa Mooker, Employment lawyer
• Samina Ansari, Former CEO Amina - Muslim Women's Resource Centre
• Talat Yaqoob, independent consultant

Apologies

• Monica Lee-MacPherson, Head of SHIMCA (Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association) Inverness
• Shulamite Ezechi, CEO of ANYISO   

Items and actions

Key discussion points

• members discussed and reviewed the ‘Building our way of working’ document
• online working platforms were discussed with different costs and functionalities. It was proposed for the Design Advisory Group (DAG) to move to Huddle as Basecamp routes data through the United States- less secure and not in line with Scottish Government data policies
• a discussion followed relating to definitions that could support Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA), and the purpose and process of the EQIA. The Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group (AIGG) proposed 7 strands of work for the future Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) in its first 2 years; it was assumed that this is what is being assessed in the EQIA
• proposal to clarify further with SG relating to the EQIA process with aim to develop better understanding

• it was noted that future AROS is an infrastructure being built for SG, to stop enacting systemic racism on people, and is building from those who experience the most adverse impact of systemic racism
• an update from Procurement short life working group (SLWG) was provided: the Specification of Requirements has been revised. Future AROS will be an independent body funded by SG for the improvement of public Scottish institutions
• clarification will be sought from SG to confirm that the host once procured will undertake a full, fair open recruitment process for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) /Co-CEO’s. It is expected this will be for a total of nine named roles in addition to the CEO/Co CEO’s

Discussion on the Terms of Reference (ToR)

• the co-chairs provided an update on the revised ToR There is a proposal to rework the timeline from fixed dates given the existing delays being experienced: keeping the duration of work instead of fixed dates
• the revised ToR was signed off by the group, to be returned to SG for internal sign off

Discussion on how best to implement 6-9 month work plan and to recruit appropriate consultancy staff

• update on the processes for the DAG to recruit freelance team members for areas of work within the workplan to be undertaken and provided an overview of necessity and role of fiscal host in the unique circumstances surrounding DAG operations

• overview of Community Engagement SLWG work as a priority
• the detailed overview of internal and external steering groups and wider invites was postponed to next meeting
• Ther co-chairs provided an update on the budget revision for work plan and sign off process
• The co-chairs requested group members to propose new candidates for DAG

• suggested a young person mentee to attend a future meeting, the group discussed developing a summary way of working and wider input of young people
• community engagement work is intended to involve and recruit young people across Scotland
• members advised SG will have them set up on finance systems by the 15 March

Thanks and close

Co-chairs thanked everyone for their participation in the discussions and encourage to get in touch if anyone has any suggestions or concerns.

Actions

• finalise & share “Building our way of working” as completed document  Friday 15 March
• follow up with invitations to new Huddle platform if it is determined as most effective platform
• members to continue to share definitions and references to support the development of collective critical thinking
• members to send nominations for additional candidates for DAG 
• meeting proposed with SG to understand EQIA process