Making Heritage Policy relevant for Ethnic Minorities and other Disadvantaged Groups
Presentation forHeritage Care through Active Citizenship. Mechelen. Belgium 24.3.09
Judy Ling Wong CBE. HonFCIWEM. FRSA. HonPhDDirector UK. Black Environment Network
Mission Statement
Black Environment Network works with heritage and environmental organisations to establish
multicultural participation We use the word ‘black’ symbolically recognising that the black communities are the most visible of all ethnic groups
We work with black, white and other ethnic minorities
Why is sharing heritage with ethnic minorities and disadvantaged groups important?
Involving everyone increases active citizenship for the care and protection of heritage
Most organisations aspire to express their ethical commitment to equality and diversity by taking action to open up their organisations to everyone
It makes good business sense
The presence of ethnic minorities within European nations is a feature of the 21st Century
The world is increasingly globalised
Promoting intercultural understanding within nations in a broad sense can make a significant contribution to living and working together harmoniously
How do we make relevant policies and action plans?
An understanding of the process of engaging with different socio-cultural groups
An understanding of the context of the representation of multicultural heritage
An assessment of the knowledge and skills of board members, management, staff and volunteers
An understanding of the socio-cultural potential of a wider interpretation of heritage assets and activities
“Who we are and what we can achieve
depends on how we see ourselves against the enormous pressure of
how others see us. “
Judy Ling Wong CBE
Holistic Multicultural Representation and Citizenship Involvement
in the 21st Century
All national cultures are unique combinations of different national multicultural elements.
Thinking about multiculturalism in a broad sense means including the distinct cultures of different ways of life, e.g
miners, and social classes within society
How shared multicultural histories are presented by cultural institutions
powerfully shapes national identity and influences the life opportunities and actions of
citizens
Opportunities for cultural institutions, NGOs and individuals to make our shared multicultural history visible and accessible are all around us.
It is our privilege to pass our judgement on history and move positively into the future by re-positioning intercultural relationships within our nations.
make the contribution of craftsmen, the working class and servant classes visible in historic houses
increase contact by facilitating, and if necessary, funding, disadvantaged social groups to visit heritage collections and sites
reflect the influence of different cultures in heritage interpretation
work in partnership with community based groups to formulate socially and culturally relevant activities
create new heritage sites and festivals
Increasing contact with heritage collections and sitesFun day at Culzean Castle. Scotland
Revealing the Influence of Different Cultures Storytelling and Jewellery Making at the Royal Museum. Edinburgh
New heritage sitesCreating a new community forest to mark the 300th
anniversary of the birth of Khalsa - the Sikh scriptures
A model equality and diversity policy
We aim to:
Break down barriers that prevent engagement by sections of society, whether physical, sensory, intellectual, cultural, social or economic, especially for under-represented, excluded or disadvantaged groups, e.g. ethnic minorities, those living in poverty.
Work with other organisations to develop standards
Implement monitoring and evaluation
Promote access for everyone by working to ensure that our properties, services and workplaces are open to all sections of society
Promote inclusion and equality of opportunity in the workplace and across all our activities
Provide opportunities for individuals and community groups from diverse backgrounds to engage and participate in what we do
Engage in activities that support and promote the diversity of local communities and reflect our shared multicultural heritage
Some key elements of an internal Action Plan
Identify inspiring examples of good practice to enthuse action
Put high level leadership into place
Work in partnership with others
Provide training, advice and development support
Network with other organisations developing similar actions and celebrate success
Stimulating participation
Reach out and offer fun activities, e.g. run a photo competition of a historic garden
Identify sites that have a social or cultural link to the target social group
Fundraise together with a community group for transport and activity costs
Use the arts, e.g. combine a visit with drawing using an ethnic minority artist to lead
Research multicultural elements and involve groups using oral history
Develop resources in collaboration with community groups
“Working with disadvantaged social groups is not about doing a favour
for small groups of vulnerable people.
It is about working towards the vision of an inclusive society of which we can all be proud. “
Judy Ling Wong CBE
Resources and exampleswww.ben-network.org.uk/resources/publs.aspx
Ethnic Environmental Participation. Volume 2. Key articles and papers. Judy Ling Wong
Ethnic Community Environmental Participation The Cultural and Social Values of Plants and Landscapes
Ethnic Environmental Participation. Volume 3. Key articles and papers. Judy Ling Wong
Multi-cultural Interpretation and Access to Heritage Visualising Heritage Participation by Ethnic Groups Taking action within the Historic Environment Sector to link people and place
www.openingdoorsreport.org.uk/l2.php?L1ID=5&L2ID=21 Opening Doors: Learning in the historic environment. Attingham Trust report -
Section E4 Hidden Stories
www.heritagelink.org.uk/diversity/ Embracing Diversity Programme
For information about BENwww.ben-network.org.uk
Consultancy and training [email protected]
All BEN publications and resources are downloadable free www.ben-network.org.uk/resources/intro.htmlwww.ben-network.org.uk/resources/publs.aspx
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