Cumbernauld Councillor's role in Black Lives Matter drive moves up a gear

A leading academic and human rights activist has commended work undertaken by a Cumbernauld councillor and the local authority in addressing equality issues for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic residents that will shape teaching in our schools from now on.
A Black Lives Matter protestA Black Lives Matter protest
A Black Lives Matter protest

Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, Professor Emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University met with members of the Black Lives Matter Working Group, including Councillor Junaid Ashraf to discuss its work and has given his support to the council’s approach.

As we reported, the working group was set up following an unanimously endorsed council motion in August 2020 supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. It includes elected members from the three political parties and council officers.

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Councillor Ashraf, said: “Our aim is to tackle all forms of racial injustice and discrimination across North Lanarkshire. We started by carrying out research into the experiences of the area’s BAME people across different areas including employment, housing, discrimination, hate crime and wellbeing.

“Our priorities are promoting diversity and challenging discrimination through the school curriculum, and pro-actively improving equality in employment for current and potential council employees.”

A package of support materials is being developed for teachers while learning resources will be produced for pupils to learn about the history of slavery and the links to North Lanarkshire.”

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