African and Caribbean Community Dialogue for individuals, families, organisations, migrants, refugees, students, mixed race. All welcome!
Opportunities for engagement must be created through consultation with the community. ACSONI [African Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland] is having a series of community dialogues with members of the community representing themselves and/or groups and organisations; the dialogue is to be broad-ranging and inclusive. ACSONI invite all to bring forward their questions, concerns, suggestions and feedback.
Current and ongoing events and attitudes within local and global geopolitics continue to underpin the undermining of development within African/Caribbean/Mixed Race communities across the globe. Within the local context – marginalisation, discrimination and general apathy toward the African & Caribbean communities general wellbeing is statistically documented. The community is burdened with many historical issues pertaining to under representation and lack of socio-economic support which have been exacerbated by the uncertainty accompanying the global pandemic, it’s lasting legacy, the prospect of a European nuclear war and the glaring disparities in the treatment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from ‘dark skinned’ countries by UK Border Agency, its affiliate organisations and other law enforcement institutions.
Northern Ireland has a growing culturally, geographically and religiously diverse population of migrants from the African/Black Diaspora, including those of mixed race heritage or with linkages to the America’s, the Caribbean and/or Africa. ACSONI is a representative organisation of all people of African descent in Northern Ireland. Due to the economic effects of the global pandemic ACSONI was significantly incapacitated while the world moved on and many changes happened in the community.
The African & Caribbean Community Dialogue is an opportunity for ACSONI to reintroduce ourself to those who know us and introduce ourselves to those who are unaware of who we are, who we represent and what we do. It is more importantly an opportunity for members of the community; individuals, groups, organisations, families, scholars, shop owners, health care workers, refugees and asylum seekers – to voice their concerns, ask their questions, participate in mapping solutions to our collective challenges in an inclusive and sensitive manner.
ACSONI operates at a policy level and this organisational capacity is of benefit to the community if all voices are taken on board and all concerns put on the table. Starting with this community dialogue ACSONI and members of the community, representative organisations and groups can better tackle issues from a grass roots and policy level.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday 10th March at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast at 430pm. Light beverages will be available including Halaal, Vegetarian and Vegan options.
Please register for the event via the link below, this will help us to ensure we cater for everyone as there is limited capacity.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/african-caribbean-community-dialogue-tickets-559164234277
Registration for online attendees will be available by alternative registration.
