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previous
report by
Anne Matin: director NNREC
The
last Annual Report detailed an increase of workload in this
REC and for race equality generally which may have drawn people
to conclude that our chances to meet targets were almost impossible.
I am pleased to inform you that not only did we reach all our
Work Programme targets, we exceeded them. The report is comprehensive
- work programme areas respond and relate to local, regional
& national priorities.
Committee reports
show how we met statutory requirements, which are an ever increasing
burden upon this relatively small, charitable and predominately
voluntary organisation. I believe the reason that our successes
continues to grow is due to our partnership approach. This further
assisted us to add targets based on emerging priorities identified
during the year. Our ability to survive is not only due to producing
targets and outcomes, it is very much connected to our ability to
stay within our aims and objectives, and our constitutional obligations.
This can be difficult when there are so many and varied demands
put upon RECs.
The possibility
of conflicting or hidden agendas has cost many similar organisations
their very existence. However, NNREC has maintained an approach
which is not lead purely by individual glory but by communal and
community needs which often leads to personal sacrifice. There is
strength in an organisation which recognises limitations and realises
that on our own we can not be held responsible to deliver everything.
There are agencies who morally and statutorily are required to deliver
equality based services and employment opportunities.
In certain areas
our duty is to facilitate and advise on the development of the delivery
process. To this end we have adopted an empowerment and enablement
process within partnerships in the belief that these will produce
more sustainable outcomes and changes. Evidence of this was the
effective response produced by the Norfolk Local Government Equal
Opportunities Network to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report and
the Home Secretary’s Action Plan. The ability to put together ‘The
Stephen Lawrence Inquiry - The Next Steps for Norfolk’ conference,
report and action guidance came from an established and trusted
partnership.
It demonstrates
that the only requirement necessary to work towards an anti-racist
society is the commitment and will to do so. On the 14th April 2000
‘Stand Up To Racism’ and the report will be launched by CRE Commissioner
Shahid Malik. Next year begins with an emphasis on meeting post
Lawrence requirements and Best Value, assisted by the CRE Local
Government Standards and the benefits expected through the Race
Relations [Amendment] Act. There is evidence in this report which
justifies our partnership approach through the substantial work
that has been achieved. It is beneficial to all partners whether
large organisations, community/voluntary groups or individuals.
Each NNREC Officers’ report highlights various areas of the work
programme as it relates to the ‘Annual Work Programme Review 1999/2000’
section.
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