This week Voice4Change England (V4CE) launches A shared vision for the future of the BME voluntary and community sector.

Following an in-depth study across the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector (BME VCS), this publication identifies crucial areas of action for policy makers to strengthen and support the BME VCS to target deprivation and challenge inequality.

The coalition Government are making plans for a ‘Big Society’ with an emphasis on localism and the increased role of volunteering and the VCS.

A shared vision urges Government to work with the sector to create a Big Inclusive Society and to ensure fairness and equality are deeply embedded in public spending cuts.

Rob Berkeley from Runnymede Trust, who was interviewed as part of A shared vision said: “If the Big Society is also to be a fairer society, it is crucial that the BME VCS is enabled to play its full role in supporting BME citizens and others to engage with opportunities to play a larger role in shaping public services.

"Without their involvement the Big Society project is likely to fail, putting at risk the major contribution that BME people already make to civil society.”

A shared vision has been previewed at the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative 2010 party conferences. V4CE hosted a series of fringe events focusing on ‘Equality, fairness and the Big Society’.

Bringing together leading voices from across the BME VCS and Government, the events raised awareness of the A shared vision by asking ‘how do we make Big Society equal?’

Vandna Gohil from V4CE said: “Through our fringe events we wanted to make sure equality and social justice were at the centre of this debate. The Big Society and localism provide huge opportunities for the BME VCS to ensure diverse communities are engaged and innovative approaches taken.

"BME VCOs need to seize this opportunity and define their role within the Big Society. The Prime Minister has challenged us to step forward and come together to make life better. Across the country the BME VCS is already doing this and can do more. But for the sector to survive, thrive and effectively engage and meet the needs of communities, policy makers must put equality at the heart of Big Society and work with us to challenge the barriers identified in A shared vision.”

A shared vision looks at nine key topics such as building a more equal society, embedding equality in localism and promoting fair representation. Setting out a shared vision for the future, it identifies vital areas of action for policy makers, including:

• To continue to implement a Race Equality Strategy that prioritises and tackles continuing racial inequality

• To conduct rigorous and timely Equality Impact Assessments as required by law.

• To provide a strong national steer on equality and human rights whilst allowing authorities to respond to local needs

• To recognise the cost of discrimination versus the cost of tackling discrimination

A shared vision is a declaration of resilience from the BME VCS in the face of public spending cuts but it is also a timely reminder that a Big Society will not be created by ignoring those with less power to make themselves heard.

Contributors are hoping this publication will be used by policy makers as a catalyst to increase recognition and support for the BME VCS and the vulnerable communities they serve. BME VCOs have now spoken.

It remains to be seen whether policy makers will listen and take action.

Voice4Change England is inviting voluntary and community organisations to pledge support to the BME VCS and A shared vision as a way to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities lying ahead and to help secure better outcomes for BME and disadvantaged communities.

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