4. Debate: Tackling Racism and Racial Inequality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:58 pm on 7 May 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 3:58, 7 May 2019

I would very much agree with that. I think there’s a lot in our education system today that is about empathy and empathising, isn’t there? And a lot about diversity, understanding diversity, and respecting it. And I’m sure Kirsty Williams is very committed to making sure the new curriculum builds on that.

I was very interested in what the Deputy Minister said about community cohesion and the strategy, because I think that is very, very important, and it would be great to have more detail on that—you know, when it’s expected, what the timings are, and perhaps maybe a little bit more on the content, and whether there might be a campaigning element in terms of public attitudes.FootnoteLink Because I do believe, in terms of challenging some of the negative views and stereotypes around, that we do need that public campaign, to make absolutely clear what Welsh Government and, I’m sure, the vast majority of Assembly Members believe people should say and do and not say and not do. I think a campaign around that and providing clarity on that would be very useful indeed.

Also, I think, very important, and perhaps part of community cohesion, Minister, are some of the events that many of us would be familiar with that take place in our communities, that bring people together, allow that sharing of experience, and that enriching experience of different cultures, music, dance, food, drink, and so on. One that has taken place for many years in Newport East is the Maindee festival. It is a parade and a day of events and activities that really does bring members together from different sections of society. I think in the round of considering how we take forward community cohesion, it's very important to support and value events such as that.

Recently, along with the two MPs for Newport, my colleague Jayne Bryant and I met with the Polish community in Newport, and they were saying, 'How can we share our culture, our experience? How can we develop links with others and be a more integrated part of the local community?' We were able to say to them that one opportunity would be in July this year with the Maindee festival, where you can have a stand, you can do a dance, you can provide some music—whatever you think appropriate—but it's a platform and an opportunity for you. I really do think we need to value those cultural events.