Making Wales work better – Inspiring Black & Minority Ethnic communities to become involved in public life
Public appointments : Voter registration : Democratic engagement : Civic engagement

Diverse Cymru in partnership with Operation Black Vote, the GMB Wales and South West region, and the BME Communities that it supports has 0recognised the low representation in Public Life of BME individuals. Although positive action has been used by the Welsh Government to encourage engagement, BME representation within Public appointments, Voter registration, Democratic engagement and Civic engagement remains disproportionately low.

Diverse Cymru would like to provide a platform to discuss the process, suggest improvements, and actively support and encourage more positive involvement and outcomes for the BME community that will ultimately lead to a fairer and inclusive working Wales.

This conference will bring together both BME professionals and novice individuals who jointly share the will to take part in how their Wales is run both locally and nationally.

You will also be joined by decision makers who will get the chance to hear about the barriers to involvement, but more importantly, hear the positive suggestions to reaching a common goal of a fairer and inclusive Wales.

Diverse Cymru is encouraging organisations representing BME communities and BME individuals who would like to get involved to come along and make a difference.

18.00       Drinks reception

18.30       Welcome by Cllr. Heather Joyce, Leader of Cardiff Council

18.35       The context by Dr. Charles Willie, Director, Diverse Cymru

18.50       “The state we are in” by Vaughan Gething AM

19.05       Audience contribution

19.15       Unions perspective by Cath Speight, GMB National Political Officer

19.30       Audience contribution

19.40       “Inspiring involvement” by Simon Woolley, Director, Operation Black Vote

20.00       Short refreshment break

20.10       Open discussion “Turning frustration into action”

20.40       Welsh Governments perspective by Carwyn Jones AM (TBC)

20.50       Opportunity to get involved