Addressing Equalities Issues Faced by BAME Individuals and Community Organisations

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the importance of addressing the equalities issues faced by BAME and migrant communities and organisations in Edinburgh; notes the work of community organisations such as Project Esperanza in Edinburgh, which works to address issues of social isolation, migration trauma and racial trauma through its provision of practical, emotional and integration support to families and people of African and multi-ethnic backgrounds; further notes the view that more work should be done to support BAME and migrant communities, including working to remove economic barriers, helping migrant families to access services, expanding access to free English lessons, and supporting migrants with no recourse to public funds, and notes the view that more work should be done to support BAME and migrant organisations, including ensuring equal access to community assets and venues for black- and multi-ethnic-led charities, increasing access to senior managers and practitioners in healthcare, social care and education to encourage shared decision making and prompt systemic changes, and providing direct, sustainable funding and engagement to black and multi-ethnic experts and organisations.