Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racist Infrastructure minutes: July 2022

Attendees and apologies

• Dr Addy Adelaine, International Social Worker and expert in action research and inclusive accountability
• Moi Ali, author and expert on communications and marketing
• Tuoyo Ayiku, Head, Heart of Africa charity and manager, Heart in the Community Café
• 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
• Dr Ima Jackson, Co-Chair, Senior Lecturer, Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Monica Lee-McPherson, Head, Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA)
• Miura Lima, Youth Advocacy Lead, Intercultural Youth Scotland
• Micheal Matovu, Co-Founder, Radiant and Brighter

• Professor Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship, University of Edinburgh
• Adebusola Ramsay, Information Analyst and expert in racialised data
• 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

• Dr Halima Begum, CEO, Runnymede Trust
• Dr Gina Netto, Reader, International and Forced Migration, Heriot-Watt University

Scottish Government

• Jeff Macdonald, Secretariat
• Frankie McLean, Race Equality Team Lead

Items and actions

Key discussion points

• the actions from the previous meeting were verbally agreed. In future meetings the actions will also be presented in a visual tracker format
• the Safeguarding Paper received positive feedback from the group. A young person will join the group in August, supported by Intercultural Youth Scotland
• the terms of reference were agreed and signed off by the group
• anti-racist infrastructure initial engagement scoping paper: the group broadly agreed with the principles and purpose
• accountability questions: the length of proposed questions was raised. A suggestion for a pilot was made and the questions will be incorporated into an accessible online format
• Secretariat to nominate three civil servants leading on Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) actions to work with the Co-Chairs to support with co-designing and testing the accountability questions as a pilot
• intersectionality and lived experience were highlighted as essential question areas to be included
• a workshop with civil servants leading on IPP actions will be organised prior to the accountability questions being issued for completion
• the group felt a joint cover note from the Permanent Secretary and Co-Chairs is required to create ‘buy in’ when the accountability form is issued to senior civil servants for completion
• the group are to explore if qualitative interviews with civil servants could supplement reporting
• the group are to respond to the Secretariat with comments regarding the accountability questions by 3 August 2022
• community perspectives: this should be led by people from minority ethnic communities. Principles: compensation, meaningful engagement in decision making, trust developed from seeing action/movement upon suggestions. Engagement at a time and in a manner that suits the community. Important to shift focus away from communities and onto systems
• external body design: communication, dissemination and engagement are key. An online presence is important to manage narrative when building an organisation
• phasing over year one, one to three and three to five are important considerations
• systematic change and a new Race Equality Action Plan for 2023 onwards are to be added as an agenda item for the next meeting

Actions

• Secretariat to email accountability questions to group members today, requesting comments to be returned to the Secretariat by 3 August 2022
• group members to respond to Secretariat with comments to accountability questions by 3 August 2022
• Secretariat to send final agreed terms of reference to group members
• Secretariat to send the online accountability questions/form to group members when received from the Co-Chairs
• group members to comment on the online accountability questions/form
• group members to explore the option of researchers undertaking one-to-one qualitative interviews with civil servants
• Secretariat to recommend three civil servants to Co-chairs working on aspects of the IPP to support with co-design and testing during pilot phase of accountability questions/form
• Secretariat to contact three identified civil servants working on aspects of IPP to support with co-design and testing during pilot phase of accountability questions/form
• Secretariat to arrange online pre-workshop with civil servants regarding accountability questions/form (once the date is confirmed the accountability questions will be issued)
• Secretariat to arrange meeting with the Permanent Secretary and Co-Chairs to discuss a cover note being issued from the Permanent Secretary when accountability form is issued to civil servants for completion
• group members to explore if qualitative interviews with civil servants could supplement reporting
• co-chairs to create an online document for group members to provide feedback on observatory modelling
• Secretariat to share online document for group members to provide feedback on observatory modelling
• group members to complete online document to provide feedback on observatory modelling