Note of Ethnic Identity Classification Consultation - 14th April 2005, Jurys Inn Edinburgh
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Attendees:
- Rowena Arshad - Edinburgh University
- Peter Barry - Scottish Refugee Council
- Catherine Bissett - Scottish Executive: Social Justice Research
- Dr Ephraim Borowski - Scottish Council for Jewish Communities
- Julie Bright - Scottish Executive: Office of the Chief Statistician
- Michael Callaghan - Stirling Council on behalf of Caroline Moore
- Alison Colvine - Scottish Executive: Equality Unit
- Philomena de Lima - Inverness College
- Frances Forsyth - Office of National Statistics
- Maureen Garvie - Scottish Executive: Office of the Chief Statistician
- Jim Gowans - Scottish Prison Service
- Kim Hunter - Scottish Executive: Human Resources
- Lesley Irving - Scottish Executive: Equality Unit
- Ellen Kelly - City of Edinburgh Council
- Martha Kennedy - Gypsy and Traveller Community Development Project
- Susie MacDonald - British Market Research Bureau
- Rhona MacKenzie - Scottish Executive: Analytical Services Division
- Ian Mate - General Register Office for Scotland: Census
- Louise McAspurren - Scottish Executive: Social Justice Research
- Irene McDermaid - Scottish Executive: Human Resource Statistics
- Eleanor McKnight - National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minorities
- Richard Morrison - General Register Office for Scotland: Census
- Dr Kennedy Muturi Nelson - Aberdeen University on behalf of Dr. Philip Muinde
- Michael Napier - Scottish Executive: Equality Unit
- Chris Oswald - Commission for Racial Equality
- Alison Platts - Scottish Executive: Office of the Chief Researcher
- Venetia Radmore - Scottish Executive: Justice Statistics Unit
- Kenny Richardson - NHS Borders
- Gordon Simpson - Lothian & Borders Police
- Keith Stewart - Scottish Prison Service
- Frank Thomas - General Register Office for Scotland: Census
- Fiona Timpson - Scottish Executive: Office of the Chief Researcher
- Mercy Yaor - Aberdeenshire Council
- Lesley Crozier - Borders Council
Apologies:
- Alan Boyd - NHS Glasgow
- Colin Fischbacher - Information and Statistics Division Scotland
- Joan Jamieson - NHS Health Scotland
- Mairi McKeane - Traveller and Gypsy Community Development Project
- Elspeth McLean - Office for National Statistics
- Michael Rosie - University of Edinburgh
- Vanessa Stone - British Market Research Board
1. Welcome & Introductions
Lesley Irving welcomed the delegates and outlined the day's agenda.
2. Overview of Review of Ethnicity Classifications
Lesley Irving gave an overview of the review of ethnicity classifications, both the work already undertaken and the work to be progressed following the seminar. In 2001 the Race Equality Advisory Forum recommended a review of the 2001 Census ethnicity classifications and concerns were raised by minority ethnic communities regarding the confusion between race, religion and geography in current Census categories. In 2002 the Executive made commitment to undertake the review.
The review will investigate ways in which the current classification could be restructured in a way which makes it acceptable to both data providers and data users. Between November 2004 and March 2005 the Executive commissioned research to inform work on ethnic identity category frameworks. This involved relevant data users, providers and stakeholders. The current seminar will consider the research findings and how best to engage with communities during the consultation phase of the review.
Between April and June the Executive will draft an option based consultation paper which will be published together with the research findings in June. The results of the consultation will be analysed between September and November after which time the Executive will make recommendations to Ministers. In spring 2006 recommendations will be piloted in the 2006 Census Test. The results of this will be reviewed in summer 2006 and any necessary refinements/revisions to the categories will be made. At the close of 2006 the Executive will publish a final report with recommendations for ethnic identity category system.
3. Commission for Racial Quality
Chris Oswald from the CRE gave a short presentation on the duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the need to carry out ethnic monitoring. This is enclosed in the covering e-mail.
4. Ethnicity Classifications Research
Rowena Arshad and Susie MacDonald gave a presentation (enclosed in covering e-mail) on their research into ethnic identity and the Census. The research was commissioned by the Executive to inform the review of ethnicity classifications. The presentation included a description of how and why this study was conducted and an exploration of key themes and issues emerging from the research.
Philomena De Lima then provided a summation of the research including the emerging themes and issues and this is enclosed in the covering e-mail.
5. Census Test 2006
Ian Mate from the General Register Office for Scotland gave a short presentation (enclosed in the covering e-mail) on the 2006 Census test.
Ian introduced his colleague Richard Morrison who works on Census development and community liaison. Ian explained that the development of Census questions will be driven by data providers to a much greater extent in the future than has been the case in the past. GROS has good community links and discussions have already taken place with Black Minority Ethnic Infrastructure in Scotland and gypsy/traveller communities.
6. Group Discussions & Feedback
Delegates were assigned to one of three discussion groups;
Group A: Consulting communities
Group B: Monitoring Ethnicity in a Changing Population
Group C: Provision & Use of Ethnicity Data
Full Notes of Workshops
One representative from each group then presented a summary of the discussions.
Overview of Feedback Session
7. Consultation Process
Julie Bright gave a short presentation (enclosed in covering e-mail) on the Executive's plans for the public consultation on the ethnic identity classification and outlined the post seminar work plan.
Delegates were invited to ask questions. Specific issues raised were i) how did the researchers choose the stakeholders included in stage one of the research and ii) to what extent will the options outlined in the consultation paper be based on the research findings.
In response to the first of these points it was explained that stakeholders were selected via the Race Equality Advisory Forum and had at least a five year history of engaging with the issues examined in the research. Stakeholders represented a wide cross section of minority ethnic communities, both established communities and newer or less visible communities. The stakeholders were approved by the Scottish Executive and are not necessarily representative of all minority ethnic communities in Scotland. It should be borne it mind that the research is a qualitative and not a quantitative piece of work. Budget considerations also limited the number of stakeholders who could be included in the research.
In response to the second point it was explained that that the consultation paper will contain a series of options and that the research will, in part, inform/frame these. Depending on the result of the consultation, one option will be chosen and this will be given a trial run in the 2006 Census test. The response to the trial run will also inform the recommendations that will be put forward in the final report in 2007.
Scottish Executive
April 2005