This page looks at MULTICULTURALISM generally and RELIGION generally. More specifically, there is also information on BLACK culture, ASIAN culture (including ISLAM), EASTERN EUROPEAN culture, CHINESE culture, LATIN AMERICAN/ HISPANIC culture. [This format may alter as the page evolves.]

Main Related Pages on this Wiki:

• Asylum Seekers & Refugees
• Language
• Communites

NB To see the guide to the abbreviations used to indicate original sources see the Social Inclusion Information main page

New Stuff

• “Race & identity in 21st century Britain” http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/race-and-identity-in-21st-century-britain-1023019.html Fascinating piece on mixed-race families – “By 2020, Britain's largest ethnic minority will be of mixed-race origin”. (WTYL 24/11/08)
• “Struggles for Black Community” The IRR has reissued on DVD four major films made in the early 1980s for Channel 4. Includes films on Cardiff’s Tiger Bay (which looks at settlement and racism); Southall; 1950s Ladbroke Grove in London; and the Imperial Typewriters dispute in Leicester in 1974. Information about the films and how to by the DVD at: http://www.irr.org.uk:80/2008/november/ha000017.html. (WTYL 10/11/08)
• “Catching history on the wing” Text of the hard-hitting speech by the Institute of Race Relations director, A Sivanandan, at the IRR's 50th celebration conference on 1 November – this looks briefly at the history of the IRR before focusing on some current issues such as anti-Muslim racism. Also includes comments about being in an “Information Society” and the key role of communicators: http://www.irr.org.uk:80/2008/november/ha000016.html (WTYL 10/11/08)
• Little Poland in the British countryside - A BBC feature paid a visit to Ilford Park resettlement camp in Devon where many exiled Poles settled following World War II and continue to live: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7622866.stm (WTYL 10/11/08)
• “Congo: a history of greed and terror” 22nd Nov 2008, 1.30-4.30pm Manchester Central Library (Committee Room, 2nd Floor) Extremely topical free workshop with Marie-Therese Nlandu as part of Manchester’s contribution to Black History Month – “Hear about this vast country, hugely rich in natural resources, whose people often continue to live in poverty and fear.” Further details from: Fran Devine on f.devine@manchester.gov.uk or 0161 234 1986. (WTYL 10/11/08)
• Moroccan Memories in Britain - Wealth of resources from the project run by the Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum: http://moroccanmemories.org.uk/index.html (WTYL 03/11/08)
• Taking Liberties: the struggle for Britain’s freedoms and rights, 31 Oct 2008 – 1 Mar 2009, British Library: Free exhibition uncovering the roots of British democracy over a period of more than 900 years. Info at: http://www.bl.uk/takingliberties, including details of full events programme, video and audio introduction and curator’s blog. (27/10/08)
• “The mantra of our time: ‘British values’ good, ‘multiculturalism’ bad” http://www.irr.org.uk/2008/october/ha000018.html Thoughtful article by Rebecca Wood for the Institute of Race Relations, looking at the bad press that multiculturalism is getting. (WTYL 13/10/08)
• "Collection of news stories about Ukraine, covering topics such as the collapse of the ruling coalition government in September 2008, tensions over the Crimean peninsula (where Ukraine has allowed Russia to lease a military base on the Black Sea until 2017), possible Ukrainian membership in the EU and NATO, Russian actions in Georgia, and related matters. Also includes links to stories on related topics and blog entries. From the British newspaper The Guardian": http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/ukraine (From Librarian's Internet Index: http://lii.org/ 2nd October 2008)
• "A DAY celebrating all things Spanish is being held in Sheffield to launch a new city language centre. Spanish taster sessions for five to 11-year-olds will be on offer at the event from 1-4pm on Sunday October 19 at St Timothy's Church Hall, Slinn Street, Crookes. There will also be Spanish music, puppet-making, storytelling, games, delicious tapas and non-alcoholic sangria on offer. The new centre will be run by Jo Howard and native Spaniard Eva Oliver as part of La Jolie Ronde Languages for Children group." (The Star 7th October: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/El-of-day-for-the.4562542.jp )
• On 16th October 2008 Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, will officially re-open its upper galleries to the public with Connect, a new permanent exhibition. Connect makes connections between works of art from different cultures and times, combining over 200 Eastern and Western works of art. The project has added 50 new works by acclaimed artists including Paula Rego, Damien Hirst, Yinka Shonibare, Chris Ofili and Arpana Caur. There is also a Connecting Cultures Conference on 17th October at the National Media Museum in Bradford, has evolved from the Connect project and will focus on Newark Museum, New Jersey, USA and Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford. The conference will explore audience engagement and museum curatorial practice. For more detailed information and to book, click on: www.audiencesyorkshire.org.uk/page.aspx (MLA Yorks e-Bulletin 06/10/08)
• Multicultural Books and History: from local to global. Centre for Literacy in Primary Eduscation (CLPE)’s 5th Multicultural Book Fair takes place on Wednesday 1st October, 12 noon to 6.30 pm at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, Webber Street (corner with Webber Row), London SE1 8QW. Contact Ann Lazim, CLPE Librarian ann@clpe.co.uk for further information (Tel: 020 7902 2287). This year there is a focus on History, from local to global in the accompanying programme of events: The Story Spinner, an award winning collection of stories told on film, by veteran storyteller Phil McDermott and created especially for use in primary schools (www.thestoryspinner.co.uk); Advisory teachers Jane Handscomb and Sue Henderson introduce a training pack, developed in Newham, for teaching the History Curriculum at KS1 and KS2. The pack, published by Mantra Lingua, aims to extend children’s perspectives and avoid Eurocentric approaches to History (www.mantralingua.com); Helena Stride, Head of Education at the Imperial War Museum will talk about resources for Black History available at the museum and their current exhibition From War to Windrush (www.iwm.org.uk); and Alma Simpson and Helena Appio introduce this new pack linked to the National Curriculum at KS2 and KS3 and published by Sugar Media (www.sugarmedia.co.uk www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk) (WTYL 30/09/08)
• See the flyers attached to the foot of the page for information about Longsight Library's Black History Month event about Congo on the 18th of October. Longsight Library is on Stockport Road. There are many busses going past it, and there is a library car park as well as a big car park in the ASDA supermarket behind it. (Fran Devine, Co-ordinator: Access to Services, Manchester Libraries, Telephone: 0161 234 1986, f.devine@manchester.gov.uk ) (WTYL 06/10/09)
• Latinos and public library perceptions http://www.webjunction.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=10860985&name=DLFE-2520003.pdf Interesting US survey of take-up of libraries by Latinos - with some useful recommendations for how to increase library involvement. (WTYL 06/10/08 and WebJunction newsletter, October 2008)
• Institute of Race Relations website lists a selection of Black History Month events taking place across the UK in October: http://www.irr.org.uk/2008/october/bw000009.html (The Network Blog 4th October: http://www.seapn.org.uk/blog.asp?page_id=48&blog_id=1&entry_id=58 )
• East Europeans Event 21st September at St Marie's Cathedral, Norfolk Row, Sheffield. See The Star report on this event: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Eastern-Europeans-shown-the-way.4517117.jp
• Somali Week Festival 9-15 Oct 2008, Oxford House, London Attracting over 2,000 people last year, this year’s festival builds on that, offering the best of Somali culture, old and new, through an eclectic mix of events including poetry, literature and music. This year’s Somali Week Festival will focus on the Somali concept of gobannimo. For more information on gobannimo and on all the partners involved in the event see: http://www.oxfordhouse.org.uk/template.php?ID=173&PageName=somaliweekfestival2008. Redsea Online (one of the partners) also has information on its website on books: http://www.redsea-online.com/index.php (WTYL 29/09/08)
• International Kurdish Literature Festival, 1-16 Nov 2008, Hackney, London http://www.halkevi.org.uk/events.html Halkevi Turkish and Kurdish Community Centre is organising the festival as part of the “Write to Ignite” initiative, in partnership with Hackney Library Services and Hackney Literature Cluster. (WTYL 29/09/08)
• Royal African Society website http://www.royalafricansociety.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 The site includes many resources on Africa – by region, by country and by topic, including internet resources and databases, maps, useful organisations etc. (WTYL 29/09/08)
• Radical Children's Literature: "The selection of titles for this exhibition features biographies of radical activists, as well as the Young World Books series issued by International Publishers, an organ of the Communist Party of the United States of America. Also included are children's books with feminist, labor, multicultural, pacifist, and racial themes." Includes many digitized images of book covers. From the Special Collections Research Center of the Syracuse University Library: http://library.syr.edu/digital/exhibits/r/RadicalChildLit/ (Librarians Internet Index August 7th 2008: http://lii.org/ )
• BL Black Europeans website: Series of features on black Europeans, including Alexander Pushkin, Alexandre Dumas, George Polgreen Bridgetower, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and John Archer. Individual sections include essays, images, and sound samples. Also provides and introduction about black Europeans, noting that in recent years there has been "a new drive to explore and understand the hidden or ignored contribution of people of African descent to the mainstream of European culture and society." From the British Library: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/blackeuro/homepage.html (Librarians Internet Index August 28th 2008: http://lii.org/ )
• This Oxford Museum of the History of Science exhibition brings together a number of objects of Islamic origin that provide insight into some of the achievements of Islamic science: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/scienceislam/ (Librarians Internet Index August 28th 2008: http://lii.org/ )
• Support website for Portuguese workers in the UK http://www.trabalharnoreinounido.org/ A web site specifically for the large number of Portuguese workers in the UK has been launched by the TUC. With input from Citizens Advice, it explains the rights that workers can expect at work and also contains information about social issues such as housing and health. (WTYL 15/09/08)
• Runnymede Trust “Community Study” series - Two new titles have just been published in this valuable series: Understanding diversity – South Africans in multi-ethnic Britain http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/UnderstandingDiversity-2008.pdf; Soldiers, migrants and citizens – the Nepalese in Britain http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/TheNepaleseInBritain-2008.pdf. (WTYL 15/09/08)
• "How are thinktanks shaping the political agenda on Muslims in Britain?" http://www.irr.org.uk:80/2008/september/ak000003.html Fascinating article by Arun Kundnani, which investigates the role of Policy Exchange, the Social Affairs Unit and the Centre for Social Cohesion. (WTYL 08/09/08)
• East Europeans Event 21st September at St Marie's Cathedral, Norfolk Row, Sheffield. The Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jane Bird will open the event which starts at 1.30pm (after Mass), and will last a couple of hours. There will be stalls with free advice on how to stay safe & well, and know your community (including access to the arts, libraries and other leisure activities). Contact Paul Staines, Principal Policy Officer Tel: 01226 772851 / 0791 227 6445, prstaines@syjs.gov.uk, South Yorkshire Police Authority.

Multiculturalism & Diversity (general)

• World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council "Libraries without borders: Navigating towards global understanding" http://www.ifla.org:80/IV/ifla74/Programme2008.htm 10-14 Aug, Quebec. There are some fascinating papers being given, including: "Best Practices in Multicultural Library Services: Library Settlement Program (LSP) at Toronto Public Library" - Elizabeth Glass & Debi Sheffield http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla74/papers/118-Glass_Sheffield-en.pdf (WTYL 28/07/08)
• New research reports about library & information provision in mid-Wales Cadwyn Y Canolbarth is the mid-Wales library partnership, and they have just published two pieces of research undertaken by the Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth. The first looks at ethnic services provision in mid-Wales (http://online.coleg-powys.ac.uk/file.php/347/Libraries_For_Life_MUES_Report_Final.doc) with recommendations for development. The second report looks at rural information needs, with specific focuses on health needs and migrant workers (http://online.coleg-powys.ac.uk/file.php/347/Mid_Wales_Library_and_Information_Partnership_Rural_Information_Needs_Report_Final.doc). (WTYL 21/07/08)
• Awards for Bridging Cultures This year sees the launch of the Awards for Bridging Cultures, celebrating schemes that promote interculturality. The ABCs will celebrate local schemes and projects, run by grass roots, community and voluntary organisations, that build bridges between communities. The ABCs are funded by The Baring Foundation and delivered by the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo). The application process is short and simple. Deadline for applications for 2008 is Wednesday 1st October. Click link above for more information. (WTYL 28/04/08 & Andrew Knight of Healthy Hillingdon) http://www.bridgingcultures.org.uk
• Library of Congress, Portals to the World “A simple and elegant site. Each link opens a country page where more links pages under each topic are given. Brief and sensible annotations are provided. These pages link you to the best web pages available for every and any country.” Freepint 250
• Who do we think we are? educational programme engages primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of identity, diversity and citizenship with children and young people – in their schools, local communities and nationally. The project is led by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Historical Association, and Citizenship Consultant Paula Kitching & supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). It will culminate in a week of activities 23-28 June 2008. See: http://www.whodowethinkweare.org/ (WTYL 07/04/08)
• The Multicultural.co.uk website was devised for those working in the tourism sector and supported by London Development Agency. It includes a section on faith and communities with simple, illustrated information on Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as some basic information on welcoming visitors from China, India and Russia: http://www.multicultural.co.uk/ (WTYL 31/03/08)
• Kwintessential http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/ This company provides intercultural training and translation services. Its website includes a wealth of other resources such as country profiles, intercultural and cross cultural games and quizzes and an intercultural communication forum covering topics from cultural diversity to building a multilingual website. (WTYL 31/03/08)
• Intercultural Cities Conference, 1-3 May 2008, at St George's Hall, Liverpool. The Intercultural Cities Conference will look at migration, diversity and urban life in a fresh way. It not only provides an opportunity for International city leaders and experts to look at how different cultures can live together but how mixing can be turned to economic, social and cultural advantage. New thinking is needed on how diverse communities can co-operate in productive harmony instead of leading parallel or antagonistic lives. Official UK event as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. More information about the conference programme and how to book at: http://inter.culture.info/icc , and about the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/International/eyoid2008.htm (WTYL 31/03/08)
• The following resource is published by the Department of Communities and Local Government: Getting the message across: using media to reduce racial prejudice and discrimination http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/611667 Report (available to download) by Mike Sutton, Barbara Perry, Jonathon Parke and Catherine John-Baptiste.
• The role of public libraries in multicultural relationships http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/listDocuments.asp?page_id=70 The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (www.wcmt.org.uk) awarded the WTYL project co-ordinator Helen Carpenter a travel fellowship in 2007, which enabled her to visit Canada, the USA, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium,. This report sets out her experiences and reactions to them. Feedback welcome helen.carpenter@welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk (WTYL 04/02/08)
• Video ART Postcards http://www.runnymedetrust.org/projects/video-art-postcards/vap.html “In the summer of 2007, two groups of teenagers from the London Borough of Newham participated in a unique experience: assisted by video artists and historians, the teenagers uncovered sites related to historical racism and anti-racism in the West India Docks area of London and expressed their view of this history and heritage by using digital media and their imaginations. Each participant has produced a personal short video, or 'postcard', informed by their learning …” (WTYL 21/01/08 & Runnymede’s January Update)
• Anyone interested in using Quilting to bring together women of different cultures might be interested in this website: A Piece of My Soul - Quilts by Black Arkansans: http://www.oldstatehouse.com/piece-of-my-soul/
• Time To Read http://www.time-to-read.co.uk/News/editorial.asp Time To Read has just recruited two BME Positive Action trainees, funded through Grants For the Arts by Arts Council England, North West. They will work in Lancashire (Haslingden) and Liverpool (Kensington) for 9 months from January.Further info from Jane, nwreader@libraries.manchester.gov.uk (WTYL 09/12/07 & Jane Mathieson, Time To Read)
• American blog on multicultural libraries http://malarcon1.blogspot.com/ Includes link to resources such as those on the National Education Association website: http://www.nea.org/readacross/multi/buildlibrary.html on 'How to build a multicultural library'. (WTYL 3/12/07)
• Reaching New Markets: A Guide to Developing a Successful BME Strategy http://www.thebookseller.com/seminars.html Thu 22 Nov, Rich Mix, LondonJointly organised by The Bookseller and The Reading Agency, this seminar will look at ways that librarians, publishers and retailers can work together to grow the book market, promoting black and minority ethnic (BME) authors and targeting a multi-ethnic audience. More information and booking form at weblink above. (WTYL 29/10/07)
• Two virtual exhibitions at the British Library were launched in November 2005: Carribean Views http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/galleries/caribbeanviews/index.html and Black Europeans: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/blackeuro/homepage.html
• Lincolnshire Libraries Multicultural Development Service - contact Ligia Ferreira 01522 552885 ligia.ferreira@lincolnshire.gov.uk
• Connecting Community Plus, Community Grants programme now open for application http://www.cdf.org.uk/bfora/systems/xmlviewer/default.asp?arg=DS_CDF_TECHART_23/_page.xsl/27&xsl_argx=1 The third round of this fund opened for applications on 4th September 2007 and will close on 8th January 2008. Two of the priorities were undersubscribed in the first and second rounds and we are particularly interested to fund projects that contribute to these priorities in the third round. These are: Priority B: Increasing the confidence of people from BME backgrounds that public services are delivered in a fair and equitable way and Priority C: Tackling racism and extremism. Grants of up to £12,000 are available. It is expected that the majority of grants will be between £6,000 and £12,000. 2007 saw the 200th anniversary of the passage of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. The Race Equality Unit supported projects in round two which focused on commemorating the bicentenary. In this round, we are looking for projects that will focus on the legacy of the slave trade and how it affects us today. More information at weblink above. [WTYL 10/09/07]
• Nordic papers from the IFLA Conference in South Africa 19-23 August 2007
  
  http://pliny.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/pl-3407/ See bloglink above to papers on multicultural issues presented from Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland at the IFLA conference - for example The Multicultural Library Manifesto - a tool for creating a better world. You can access the document also at: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/150-Nielsen-en.pdf [WTYL 10/09/07]
• 'Whither Multiculturalism?' debate recording http://www.ippr.org.uk/events/archive.asp?id=2713&fID=199 MP3 recordings from ippr multiculturalism debate held on 22 May are now available to download [WTYL 29/05/07]

• Article in Catalyst Magazine (CRE) by Olivia Skinner looks at diversity in children's fiction (CM p24-26 May-June2007)
• Results of the DCMS Taking Part survey (UM March 2006)
• "All together now" (The World in one country; a unique atlas of multicultural Britain). The Guardian, G2. 23 January, 2006. Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1692835,00.html
• There is an ethnic diversity project called 'Reaching Readers' that has been set up by Reading Partners (consortium of publishers/ library& reading experts) led by The Reading Agency. Six library service will be involved: Biirmingham, Leeds, Lewisham, Manchester, Newham and Norfolk. (UM p19 May 2007)
• EUCLID, the UK's EU Cultural Contact Point conference: Cultural Diversity - The European Experience, Tuesday 14th March, The Drum, Birmingham/ For: practitioners, a managers, funders or a policy makers/ The conference will run from 10:00 - 16:30 and the delegate cost to attend is £120 (plus VAT)/ Delegates will receive a free copy of both UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and the Council of Europe's Opatija Declaration: Learning about intercultural dialogue. For further information contact louise@euclid.info or see http://www.euclid.info/content/view/28/68/
• The Garnett Foundation offer training in diversity issues: http://www.thegarnettfoundation.com/

Religion (general)

• Sheffield Hallam University have a new multifaith centre for students in Owen Building on City Campus http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Faith-centre-for-students.3573611.jp (The Star 11th Dec 2007)
• CILIP's 'Top Tips' professional advice on its website now includes a 'Sensitive Issues' section. One of these is Mental Health; another is Religious Observance. CILIP members can view these at: www.cilip.org.uk - you'll have to log in and go to the 'professional advice' section (UM March 2006)
• Topics available for swapping booklists on Blackwell's Online Bookshop include 'Gay/ Lesbian' and 'Religion' amongst others: www.just-published.co.uk (UM July/ August)

Black Culture

• 22 June 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the arrival of SS Empire Windrush, a ship bringing 492 Caribbeans (mostly WW2 veteran ex-servicemen) to Britain. Known as the ‘Windrush Generation’, migrants of the period from 1948 – the mid 1960s came to work in Britain at the invitation of the British Government at that time. Britain gained access to not only a new work force, but also to a new culture of Caribbean literature, food, music and fashion. Working with Music for Change, Trinidadian Calypso singer/ songwriter Alexander D’Great, presents WINDRUSH 60, a project taking participants on a Caribbean journey of the last 60 years in Britain – from the docking of SS Empire Windrush, to Caribbean lifestyle in 2008. To book WINDRUSH 60 in your museum, library or venue, please contact Nadine on 01227 459243 nadine@musicforchange.org Visit http://www.musicforchange.org/pages/alex.htm for information on Alexander D’Great. Music for Change is an educational arts organisation that promotes awareness, understanding and respect for cultural diversity through music and the performing arts. (WTYL 16/06/08)
• Southwark Ethnic Minority Achievement Team (EMAT) has published a series of guidance booklets to support schools to promote the wellbeing, progress and achievement of pupils from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds. Raising Standards for All consists of five booklets: Guidance for senior leadership teams; Teaching and learning; Partnership with parents, carers and the community; Using data to promote achievement; Pupil voice: building a culture of pupil participation. See: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/educationandlearning/management/EthnicMinorityAchievement/EMAT.html (WTYL 19/05/08)
• Laura Swaffield reports on The Reading Agency & Harper Collins' research into the BME reading market, Reaching Readers in Update Magazine. The report shows that BME readers like 'the same as everyone else' (thrillers, crime, personal memoirs, non-fiction on practical topics, not just 'literary BME'). There are also a high percentage of BME readers with library membership - 77%. (UM 7 [4] April 2008 p20)
• NOLLYWOOD (Nigerian Films) - see this website: http://www.aflad.co.uk/ from Linda Dawson, Outreach & Inclusion Manager, Oldham Libraries (WTYL 03/12/07)
• Crossing Borders magazine – new writing from Africa http://www.crossingborders-africanwriting.org/magazine/ Crossing Borders was a collaboration between the British Council, Lancaster University and a range of partners in Africa, using information technology to link young writers in Africa with experienced mentors in the UK. The initiative produced 12 online magazines and the writing (in English) is available to download from a range of countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe from link above. For more general information about the initiative, see: http://www.crossingborders-africanwriting.org/about/ (WTYL 09/12/07)
• Somali Books: Mantra Lingua publishes over 100 titles in English and Somali. Check the website at www.mantralingua.com Frances Lincoln also publishes a beautiful story about a young Somali boy finding his way in his new home country. It is called 'The Colour of Home' by Mary Hoffman. Frances Lincoln is also publishing the first young adult novel with a Somali heroine in June 08. (The Good Library Blog: http://www.goodlibraryguide.com/blog/archives/2007/12/somali_books.html December 9, 2007)

• BT has a download service for Nollywood films (Nigerian films): http://www.downloadstore.bt.com/download/movie/nollywood.list?bhcp=1&ccpb=1&dmv=0&wmpsv=0 (from a WTYL jiscmail query - this answer from Lindsay Casselden, Community Development Co-ordinator, Central Library, Prince Georg Square, South Shields, NE33 2PE, 0191 4247684)
• Raising the achievement of Somali pupils: challenges and school responses www.multiverse.ac.uk/viewArticle2.aspx?contentId=13856 This report, produced by Lambeth Research and Statistics Unit, specifically mentions value of bi-lingual library books - see p22 "...They were all keen on the library books that came home in Somali and English." and see also recommendation on p26 "Pupils felt that Lambeth should do the following things for Somali children........Leaflets from libraries etc in the community to be published in Somali so Somali people can access local services." (WTYL 05/11/07)
• African and Caribbean Celebrations offers a wonderful journey for readers who wish to explore this rich and varied culture for themselves. Here you will find the history and customs of Kwanzaa, Carnival, Crop Over and other key events in the festival calendar all beautifully illustrated and brought to life with personal anecdotes, folk stories, songs, games, recipes, crafts and activities. Publication date: 8 October 2007. For more information see http://www.hawthornpress.com/ (WTYL 22/10/07)
• Black History Month Website http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/ (to see some of the BHM events taking place in the SINTO area, see the last minutes of the SINTO Social Inclusion Group [attached to the bottom of the page - page 2 of minutes])
• Refugees and asylum seekers in the Caribbean region: library service implications http://www.unhcr.org/research/RESEARCH/46791a622.pdf Report by Tamara Brathwaite (Librarian, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago) for the UNHCR, which looks at the impact on library services in the Caribbean of the arrival of refugees – with some interesting examples of work drawn from the UK, and some ideas for good practice. (WTYL 08/10/07)
• MLA Yorkshire's latest Audience Development Toolkit Resource Banks are now available on their website. One link is for the Cultural Diversity Report , and they also offer guidance for working with various groups: including Working with The African Caribbean Community
• 4th National Black Writers and Publishers Conference, Sat 13 Oct 2007, Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity for black writers, and readers of black writing, to meet and have dialogue with each other and some of the major figures in the poetry and fiction publishing world. All writers face difficulties in getting their work published and produced, but for African, Asian, Caribbean and Chinese writers in the UK, there are also issues of control and representation. http://www.commonword.org.uk/ (WTYL 17/09/07 and The Network)
• REACH is Communities and Local Government’s figurehead project to raise the aspirations, attainment and achievement of Black boys and young Black men, enabling them to reach their potential. Click on the link above to read their report with five recommendations on how the Government can help achieve the project's aims. [WTYL 20/08/07]
• The First Black Britons. Black History and Citizenship DVD Learning Resource http://www.sweetpatootee.co.uk/ Black British TV Actor/Comedian Gary Beadle (Eastenders' Paul Truman) presents a journey of discovery, from the Napoleonic Wars to the grand imperial age and a struggle for equality. He visits archives, museums and historical sites in Jamaica, Barbados, Liverpool, London and Windsor; revealing a vital missing chapter in the making of modern Britain. The incredible hidden history of the West India Regiment. And the unique act of Parliament that established a new class of citizen - Black British. 'The First Black Britons' is designed to be a catalyst for lesson-plans in Black History Month, that can also support cross-curricular schemes of work throughout the year. See weblink for more information. UK distributor www.beckmanndirect.com will supply copies. Kelly Smith, Sales & Marketing Director T: 01624 816 585 F: 01624 816 589 E: KSmith@beckmanngroup.co.uk [WTYL 23/07/07]
• Contact erica.ramsay@mlayorkshire.org.uk with any 'Black Heritage and Culture Events for 2007' and you'll get free publicity for the event. (MLAY 01/02/07)
• Erica Ramsay at MLAY has sent out a call for information for any 'Yorkshire Celebrates Black Culture 2007' events. The deadline was 22nd Dec but you can contact erica.ramsay@mlayorkshire.org.uk if you want more information. (MLAY 19th Dec 2006)
• Radio Africa has regular broadcast on 'The Library' recommending books, CDs and films for Black readers: www.voiceofafricaradio.com (UM May 2006)

Asian Culture (including Islam)

• The Asian arts organization, Manasamitra, has just launched a touring spoken word production, Journey into India, which contrasts ancient Indian culture with modern India. This tour can be hosted in small spaces indoors and outdoors and Manasamitra is keen to hear from any organisation that is interested in hosting the tour. Previews are available from: http://www.manasamitra.com/ For further information about this and/or other partnership opportunities please email: info@manasamitra.com or call Supriya on: 07968 828911. (MLA Ebulletin July 2008)
• The Birmingham Muslim Writers Project run by Birmingham Libraries & Innovative Arts are to develop a toolkit on working with new writers. For news on the project see: http://www.publishingbirmingham.com/ or contact nikki.bi@birmingham.gov.uk (UM 7 [4] April 2008 p13)
• Immigration, faith and cohesion: evidence from local areas with significant Muslim populations (See: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2189-immigration-faith-cohesion.pdf pdf, 430 kb) This important new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation examines the significance of different dimensions of cohesion – including social interaction, participation and belonging – on the lives of Muslims and people of other faiths or of no faith, both recent arrivals and established residents, living in the London borough of Newham, Birmingham and Bradford. It provides new insight into people’s experience of cohesion and community at a time when policy is focusing on community cohesion at the local level, particularly in relation to the arrival of significant numbers of new migrants in some areas. (WTYL 21/04/08)
• Comma Press (Manchester-based not-for-profit publishing initiative dedicated to promoting new fiction and poetry, with an emphasis on the short story): Last year, Comma Press launched a new translation imprint – and, as part of this, ran author tours, discussions and innovative live readings (with authors reading in the original against projected English surtitles). Anthologies planned for 2008 and 2009 include a ReBerth, a port cities anthology, looking at six cities around Europe; and a compendium of contemporary Middle Eastern short stories, edited by the Lebanese poet and critic Joumana Haddad, to be launched at various events in the UK in Oct 2008. http://www.commapress.co.uk/?section=books&page=commatranslation (WTYL 14/04/08 and National Association for Literature Development Newsletter)
• Hidden Afghanistan exhibition http://www.nieuwekerk.nl/en/index.htm De Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam. In the winter of 2007 and the spring of 2008, the Nieuwe Kerk will present a completely different view of Afghanistan than the war and destruction portrayed in the news. (WTYL 28/01/08)
• Non-Muslims are being invited to visit the mosque at the Muslim Welfare House in the Broomhill area of Sheffield. The move follows the success of the annual mosque open day in 2006 which attracted dozens of people. Mosque officials said it was a chance to ask questions about the Islamic religion or get a different perspective on issues discussed in the newspapers. Visitors will be able to tour the building on the last Saturday of every month. (BBC News 24 20/01/08 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7198936.stm )
• Asia Media: http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/ This is "a daily electronic publication that delivers news about all aspects of the media in Asia, including its role in regional and national economies, societies, and political debate. ... [It also] publishes commentary by a range of journalists, scholars, and policy makers." Covers topics such press policy in Korea, arrests of journalists in Pakistan, and the state of the media in Bangladesh. From the UCLA International Institute, University of California, Los Angeles. (Librarians Internet Index 10/01/08: http://lii.org/ [American])
• The British Sari Story Sketchbook exhibition – now available to tour http://www.bridging-arts.com/projects/the-british-sari-story The British Sari Story national competition for British Asian sari patterns, organised by Bridging Arts, attracted 80 entries. The University of East London printed new saris with the top ten finalists’ work. This is on display at Brent Museum and will be touring nationally from February 2008. In addition, many competitors submitted fascinating sketchbooks with reflections on British Asian life today. This has now been made into a compact, easily transportable sketchbook exhibition, with captions and signage, easily displayed in glass cases and now available to tour. Sketchbooks included are from Leicester, Bradford, Glasgow, Cheltenham, Greenwich, Preston, Enfield, Harrow, Walthamstow, Newham and Ealing. The exhibition may be of particular interest to libraries in these areas. Bridging Arts can also deliver draping workshops and pattern art workshops around the exhibition in the London area. The sketchbook exhibition is currently at Redbridge Central Library until 3 February: http://www.bridging-arts.com/events/british-sari-story-sketchbooks-on-tour and http://www.bridging-arts.com/news/british-sari-story-sketchbooks-head-to-redbridge.For more information or to hire the exhibition, contact Bridging Arts susanroberts@bridging-arts.com (WTYL 14/01/08)
• The search for common ground http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/commonground_report.pdf New report from the Greater London Authority, which looks at the coverage of Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK media. The report highlights examples of good practice and makes recommendations to news organisations as to how they can play a role in more fairly portraying Muslims and Islam. (WTYL 19/11/07 and IRR weekly digest, 16 November)
• MLA Yorkshire's latest Audience Development Toolkit Resource Banks are now available on their website. One link is for the Cultural Diversity Report , and they also offer guidance for working with various groups including Working with The South Asian Community
• Asylum seekers & Refugees in Kingston Upon Hull (ARKH) are holding a Kurdish Cultural Event on 17th October in the Town Hall. Email Gilly for a copy of the flyer, or contact ARKH directly on Tel: 01482 214178, E-mail: arkh_project@yahoo.co.uk (WTYL 01/10/07)
• Umi Prasad presents Open House, a topical programme for Liverpool's Asian Community http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/07/14/
  radiomerseyside_pres_umiprasad_feature.shtml
  "Umi Prasad.....discovered that her previous experience as a librarian was invaluable. She was still disseminating information, but just entertaining an audience in a different way........In 1957 she came over to Liverpool, and some years later, she became the Asian Librarian in the Multi-Cultural unit of Liverpool City libraries" [WTYL 06/08/07]
• Islamic Awareness Seminar See:
  http://www.pagetandpartners.co.uk/
  corporate_training_islamic_awareness.php
  "Muslims now form one of the largest religious groups in the UK. At a time when great misunderstandings and stereotypes circulate the media and society regarding the religion, it is crucial for an effort to be made at all levels to go beyond archetypal images and to begin to understand Islam and Muslims ... " [WTYL 21/05/07]
• The Islamic Society of Britain, Luton branch led an Islam, Culture and Diversity Training day the training day for Hertfordshire Museums on 26th July, Claire Chivers on 01992 556526 or email claire.chivers@hertscc.gov.uk (WTYL 06/07)
• Contact Humeyra Ceylan, librarian at the Islamic Foundation for information about the Open Day they are holding on 13th September email: humeyra@islamic-foundation.org.uk web address: http://www.iflibrary.org.uk (lis-inspire jiscmail 08/09/06)
• Courses on Islam and Muslim cultural awareness run be Exquisitus: courses@exquisitus.ltd.uk 0845 053 3657 (WTYL 18/05)
• The Kurdish History Archives and Heritage Centre The Western Kurdistan Association (see: http://www.westernkurdistan.org.uk/index.htm) is launching their new Centre, and there is an article about it in Arc (the Society of Archivists’ journal) issue 212, April 2007, pp18-19. [WTYL 11/06/07]

Eastern European Culture

• Floodgates or turnstiles? Post-EU enlargement migration flows to (and from) the UK This report from ippr looks at the scale and nature of migration from the eight new Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, from Romania and Bulgaria, which joined in 2007, and gives some useful background information about Polish migrant workers: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=603 (WTYL 19/05/08)
• Edinburgh's McDonald Road Library ran a successful Polish Information Day: ewan.mccormick@edinburgh.gov.uk (UM p16 Jan/Feb 07)

Chinese Culture

• SHEFFIELD'S Chinese community is planning traditional colourful festivities to mark the New Year celebrations this weekend (02/02/08). The Year of the Rat will be marked by a city centre parade on Saturday, launched by performances of the Lion and Dragon dance in front of the Town Hall at noon. A further celebration will be held on February 10 by the Sheffield and District Chinese School at King Edward VII lower school on Darwin Lane, Crosspool. The final event is on February 12 with a Chinese cultural performance in the Oasis at Meadowhall. (The Star online 30/01/08: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Chinese-celebration.3721860.jp )

Latin American/ Hispanic Culture

• Latino Voices 2008-9 (http://pangaea.org/latino_voices_2008-09.pdf ) Books by and for Latinos from members of the Association of American Publishers. Whilst intended for use in the US, there may be very useful resources here for any library service in an area with Latin American Spanish speakers. (WTYL 14/07/08)