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AFRICAN COMMUNITY FORUM INC
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION Meeting ACOFI Wesley Community Centre: Mt Roskill: Auckland: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 15 September 2012
Meeting Facilitated By: Susan Elliott (pro bono) ACOFI EXECUTIVE: rosemineMutamuliza; boubacarCoulibaly; victorRobinson; frankAmoah; sandraPaulus; daveTomu
CORE THEMES: SUMMARY FROM THE MEETING 1. African-New Zealand Identity: a. distinct b. integrated c. contributory i. office civic ii. office govt d. voice i. legislation ii. representation 2. African Unity a. diverse African Community b. community meetings c. Education i. English language ii. homework centres 3. Employment a. standards of living 4. Leadership a. Acofi working with Communities 5. Connecting / developments a. Business links b. Linking with government c. back to Africa, d. Maori e. MSD 6. Youth / Women / Aged
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
WHERE DO YOU WANT THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY IN NZ TO BE IN 5 YEARS TIME Powerful, respected community Representing Africans and enabling them to have a voice in NZ To be a community with a vision to unite all the Africans in NZ United and well established African community as one voice for all Africans Africans as one of the recognised ethnic component of NZ society More in higher education More with decent work All Africans on employment or studying Included in equity group in legislation Office of African affairs African minister of African affairs Unity To be able to represent all African members and achieve at least ¾ of its goal as defined for the moment Accomplishing at least 70% of their vision Manage to work half way through their vision Well connected and integrated Africans in nz; besides recognising their values and identity –working together as one body To be strong and have strong representative Representation at local / central government by having a council / MP Being known to the wider NZ community Government and civic involvement Key positions To be officially recognized by NZ society for their wisdom, courage and compassion Well connected Known Established some seeds in Africa Being a voice from all colours from Africa Well integrated, connected, functional, respected Engaged, represented, present in all levels of society No more than 10+ associations from the same country More engagement from our youth in decision making Great leaders who treat people equal regardless where they come from People who respect their values and honour their words. To be represented statistically by Statistics NZ as Africans and not as other A community that contributes economically. Socially, environmentally because they believe they are new Zealanders Greater understanding by other cultures particularly kiwi Getting more involve within different organisations Economic relationship and fair To have businesses that employ other new comers -Visible present at all levels ---business, education, government An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
-Recognised -United and established -Part of N.Z accountable in public service -Steady growth -African with a N.Z identity -Well integrated jobs (decent) -Youth engaged in decisions -Increased standard of living -Self-reliant (employ / business) -Doing things with an African spirit and culture
WHAT SHOULD ACOFI SHOULD DO? Reach out and work with all African communities Connection with government agencies Define clear goals and activities for the next 12 months --with time frame to evaluate the activities -Particular commission which will work with specific projects and issues -Media extension -Regular meeting Registration of members
IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, WHAT SHOULD ACOFI DO? Home work centre up and running Employment Strengthening the African Community Network Set up regular meetings with business owners Organise events involving youth Funding application for the African media
Participants were then split into groups to deliberate on discussion questions
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
GROUP 1: What will it take to get there? 1. Affirmative action in education 2. Unity of Africans 3. ‘Acofi’ reaching the community member individually 4. Everyone present to work to help ‘Acofi’ 5. Fight for equal opportunity 6. English since as an excuse at a work places: Education and training offered – English languages courses 7. Advocacy / media 8. Increase visibility of ‘Acofi’ 9. Educated members of the community to play important role and contribute better 10. Reaching successful members of the community. 11. Avoiding previous mistakes 12. Action places to follow 13. Involving next generation 14. Youth training, education regarding African matters 15. Homework centres (all levels) 16. African centres open for all 17. Organising family activities 18. Outing for children and women 19. Motivating and contacts of women 20. Reviving African spirit 21. Stakeholders identification 22. Organising African festivals 23. African businesses 24. African Radio / TV
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
GROUP 2: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE? 1. LEADERSHIP a. Leading/driving Inclusivity (oneness with NZ) b. Charismatic c. Eloquent d. Committed e. Follow-up in community f. Dedicated g. h. i. j. k.
Good vision Ambassadors of the African Community Integrity Thick skinned Resilience
2. STRATEGIES TO UNIFY ALL DIVERSE AFRICANS a. representation in different clubs b. Frequent meetings c. Themes to celebrate culture d. Empowerment, connecting with local kiwi organisations
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
GROUP 3: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Strengthen our unity ( our differences must be our strength not our divider) Self-esteem & confidence Capacity building-EDUCATION each other especially young people. Walk the talk Prove ourselves-b4 asking for help. Being proactive within our own communities/ organisation. Changing our mentalities and acknowledging each other’s knowledge and/or skills “collaborate”. 8. Stop blaming each other. 9. Who will we work with? 10. Work with each other as ONE. 11. Stakeholders (other communities NGO’s local & central govt) 12. Mainstreams 13. People of the land (Maori) 14. African centre to coordinate African actives
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
GROUP 4: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE? 1. Total commitment towards achieving goals 2. Proactive communication within ourselves & stake holders 3. Overcome our weaknesses & use our strength 4. Establish an African centre. 5. Up skilling different African communities 6. Regular forums to discuss & implement every 3 months 7. Conduct research to provide data for decision making 8. Involve youth to engage at early stage to be part of decision making 9. Give women more voice/ participation 10. Care of elderly so they do not go into homes 11. Teach African languages to the children. 12. Work with: MSD, policymakers, OEA, innovation & business entities, network within schools and universities, African embassies 13. Funding bodies 14. Willing interested parties e.g. not listed above but authority makers/policy makers.
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
GROUP 5: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Decent jobs: Networking within the community. Learning from those who are established Transfer of knowledge Possibility of getting our qualification recognised Marketing exercise to bring together experienced Africans in different sectors within the economy. 7. Skills workshop –business-tax-education –career counselling-skill matching (information centre) 8. Recognition within NZ: • Advice on NZ legal policies/ legislation • A voice within an African group consolidated African group • Advisory within the government
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand
TOP ISSUES VOTED ON Topic
Votes
1. Reach all of communities 2. Sub committees working on project
21 16
3. Active use of existing skills, connections, resources
12
4. Action plan with evaluation plan
8
5. Education centre (English homework)
6
6. Conduct a survey across N.Z
6
7. Fundraising
6
8. Media connection 9. Website / Facebook - African media
5 5
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
5 1 1 1 1 1 1
Physical address Register members Regular African business meetings Youth events Funding for African media Develop connections with the government agency Mailing list
An Inaugural Deliberations session on the affairs and wellbeing of Africans in New Zealand