Community feedback, input and support inspire ACSONI to expand its capacity and reach through smart partnership and capacity building.
ACSONI Board of Trustees, management and staff were delighted this Friday 10th March to host the first in a series of Community Dialogues with members of the community, community organisation representatives and other stakeholders. The meeting was held in person at 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast and was supported by an online Zoom Uplink.
Unfavourable weather conditions and other commitments did not deter members of the wider African & Caribbean community or those with linkages from attending in person or online. ACSONI Board of Trustees, management and staff are humbled and encouraged by the support and attendance of old friends in the sector as well as new members of the community who participated for the first time in an ACSONI community driven initiative, the support is felt and valued.
Updates on issues raised and actions initiated will be published in an official statement via the website in the course of the week.
Dr Livingstone Thompson, Chair of ACSONI Board of Trustees welcomes the community gathering. He is flanked from left to right by Omer Osman [Business Manager], Shannon Doherty [Key Support Worker], Rebecca Schwindt {Finance Administrator, Simon Barr [Trustee], Lorraine Gatsi-Barnett [Treasurer], Takura Makoni [Policy Officer], Anurag Deb [Secretary]Members of the community were represented online via Zoom as well as in person.
Omer Osman, ACSONI Business Manager elucidates his role to the gathering during the introductions
Concerned members of the community made their contributions.
Community groups were represented by their delegates and made their submissions and recommendations.
Health & Mental Wellbeing specialists in the minority ethnic sector were on hand to make observations, recommendations and give guidance in matters concerning the overall wellbeing of migrant residents of Northern Ireland within the context of ACSONI’s mission statement. Dr Lekan Ojo-Okiji Abasi – CANs [Counselling All Nations]Fellow sector organisations and activists were in attendance [Tura Aratura – Africa House NI]Alfred Abolarin [Head Convenor – NIACLC, Founder – MME Council, Founder & Head of Strategy ACSONI, 2003] puts across his cogitations to the assembly.Former Manager of ACSONI, Arts & Culture professional and Artist manager Joseph Ricketts articulates his views.
The community dialogue was an opportunity to meet new and familiar people, network and build foundations for smart partnerships that benefit the whole community including visitors to this island.
The community dialogue was the first of a series of continued and regular community consultations which are necessary mechanism in the ACSONI strategic plan.
There was unanimous agreement that ACSONI should continue regular community dialogues and maintain the spirit of collective responsibility and inclusiveness that has sustained the organisation for several years.
