Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racist Infrastructure minutes: October 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
• 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
• Hazel Peters, young person with anti-racist expertise and lived experience
• Adebusola Ramsay, Information Analyst and expert in racialised data
• Dr Krithi Ravi, sessional community researcher
• Talat Yaqoob, Co-Chair, Independent Consultant and Social Researcher across equalities issues

Apologies

• Dr Halima Begum, CEO, Runnymede Trust
• Professor Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Gina Netto, Reader, International and Forced Migration, Heriot-Watt University
• Dr Judy Wasige, sessional community researcher
• Dr Mark Wong, Senior Lecturer, Public Policy and Research Methods, Glasgow University 

Scottish Government

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

Items and actions

Key discussion points

The actions from the previous meeting were presented in a visual tracker format and verbally agreed.

It was noted a group member’s title of their role is to be updated.

Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) presented youth panel feedback on observatory modelling options - genuine accountability is proposed by an observatory having an independent board.

Infrastructure and modelling short life working group (SLWG) - it was proposed this group meet face to face in Glasgow or Edinburgh in November, in order to help structure the next phase of this workstream. Hybrid options will be included to ensure geographical location isn’t a barrier to participation.

Informal groups – Co-Chairs recognised the value of these valuable discussions to date.

A community research SLWG presentation overview was provided: this included outlining the research approach, workplan and timescales. The community research will progress in conjunction with other Interim Goverance Group to Develop National Anti-Racist Infrastrucure (IGG) workstreams. A final report is due to be provided by February 2022.

Co-chairs will send an update to group members regarding interim community research as one of the researchers has unforeseen short term capacity issues.

Accountability questions SLWG – presentation and update. A final version has been created, as well as an accompanying updated support guidance document. The questions were piloted with some civil servants and feedback was provided. The accountability questions are due to be issued this week, with a four week return deadline.

The accountability questions SLWG will look to critically evaluate the responses to the accountability questions. Interested group members to email the Secretariat to note interest in this, or any of the other groups. It is envisaged there will be one accountability questions SLWG session before Christmas and then further sessions in early 2023.

An Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) SLWG update was provided – Co-Chairs had a meeting with the civil servant leading on collating IPP reports. The next IPP quarterly report will be delayed and not issued simultaneously with the accountability questions, as to not confuse or frustrate teams.

Co-chairs appreciate not all group members have capacity to attend all working groups, however, Co-Chairs encouraged group members to attend one or two groups which they are most interested in.

A question was raised regarding the scoping paper not specifically mentioning the word ‘observatory’. It was noted that this will be taken on board when the scoping paper is revised.

Group members questioned whether an action plan is the most effective means to strategising Anti-Racist Scottish Government policy – advocating the scoping paper should clearly reflect the linkage between Scottish Government policy and the observatory.

Group members to provide feedback regarding scoping paper via Secretariat.

Potential sequencing of ministerial updates: Secretariat confirmed meetings scheduled between IGG Co-Chairs and Ms McKelvie, Minister for Equalities and Older People, followed by a bilateral meeting between Ms McKelvie and Mr Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. Further meetings may be scheduled, following the outcome of the bilateral.

Co-chairs have written to Ms McKelvie to advise of their request to meet with the First Minister in relation to the observatory.

Co-chairs updated on their meeting with Paul Johnston, Director General Communities, Scottish Government. Co-Chairs are keen to have confirmation of resourcing in order that the IGG can feel confident about community research being undertaken on the IGG’s behalf, noting it is unrealistic to be expected to approach communities without having confirmed resource allocated, as this may result in reputational damage.

Group members agreed that assurance and commitment around resourcing is needed.

Cricket Scotland – was cited as an example of how an observatory could be used as a place of learning, expertise and accountability, in relation to institutional racism. Discussions regarding how Cricket Scotland can develop their anti-racist practice are ongoing.

IPP – ‘top ten’ prioritisation. Following group members feeding back on their recommended top ten areas to focus on in the IPP, the Co-Chairs outlined the top ten IPP recommendations which will be scrutinised in the IPP short life working group.

Scrutinising IPP actions highlighted responses lacked sufficient information regarding progress, intersectional considerations and concerns were raised regarding how much is lumped together in one recommendation.

Actions

• Secretariat to liaise with Co-Chairs to ascertain updated group member’s role and title details and update in minutes/group membership going forward
• Secretariat to send IYS slides to group members
• interested group members to email Secretariat to note interest in short life working groups
• Secretariat to record and track which group members are interested in which short life working groups
• Secretariat to issue accountability questions to civil servants with a four week return deadline
• Scottish Government to take on board group members feedback that the early stage draft scoping paper should specifically mention the word ‘observatory’
• group members to provide feedback regarding scoping paper via Secretariat
• Secretariat to send IPP priority focus slides to group members