The AfroNews No. 31. 20th December 2011

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 I Tel. 020 7300 7320; 020 7300 7321; 07846062331 I Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

Here’s Moremi, an African-inspired Risk Management Programme

Rev Jesse Jackson calls for public inquiry into deaths in custody

page 3

Britons see immigration as a problem page 7

A festival for Young Artists, By Young Artists

Joachim Adenusi creates risk edutainment programme with an African folklore twist pages 8 - 9

page 2

THE GUIDE How to join your partner or spouse in UK page 12

Winnie Juma releases new LP paying homage to Musa Juma page 14

IOM: Provide health services to all, including irregular migrants page 10

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

COMMUNITY

Leicester students to learn youth work in The Gambia Students from Leicester will go to learn about youth work in The Gambia.

Nineteen students studying youth and community development at De Montfort University (DMU) have organised a study visit to The Gambia in January to experience firsthand the work of charity and community organisations and to meet youth workers and students in the country.

The visit has been arranged by the students to tie in with a module in the third year of their course – globalisation and global youth work.

During the 11-day visit, which takes place from 6th to 16th January, the students plan to visit the British High Commission to discuss British foreign policy and will spend time with Action Aid, exploring initiatives to combat global inequality. They will also look at the action

“This trip is a great opportunity for the students to get out of the classroom and to learn about youth work in another country and how the concept and process of globalisation impacts people at a personal, local, national and global level. They will also get a unique opportunity to see firsthand the challenges and issues surrounding African youth policy and global inequality” Dr. Momodou Sallah, Programme leader for the youth and community development course

De Montfort University students going to The Gambia being taken to promote social and gender justice with GAMCOTRAP, a charity which campaigns to put a stop to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The students also hope to develop youth projects and set up and run workshops for young people and youth workers in the country.

They will also be working closely with staff and students at the University of The Gambia and will take part in a national conference on globalisation on 13th January. The conference will be streamed live from 10am at www.dmu.ac.uk/iedg The students have funded the trip themselves and have also organised fundraising activities to support the visit as well as a number of charities in The Gambia.

Laura Verrall, 20, is one of the students

going to The Gambia and is chair of the students’ organising committee. She said: “We are all really excited to go to The Gambia to see the work currently being done and to help develop and deliver new projects and workshops.

“I think it is really important to get out of the classroom and experience firsthand what we have been taught. The whole team has put in so much time and effort into organising the trip and we know it will be something we will never forget.”

Dr. Momodou Sallah, the programme leader for the youth and community development course will be accompanying the students on the trip. He is from The Gambia and came to the UK in 1998 to study a master’s degree.

He said: “This trip is a great opportu-

nity for the students to get out of the classroom and to learn about youth work in another country and how the concept and process of globalisation impacts people at a personal, local, national and global level.

They will also get a unique opportunity to see firsthand the challenges and issues surrounding African youth policy and global inequality.”

During the trip Dr. Sallah, together with Ms. Sarah Hargreaves, head of the youth, community and education division, will also be discussing with the University of The Gambia the possibility of establishing a Centre for Young People, Diversity and Globalisation and two master’s degree programmes in health and community development and youth and community development.

33% London 2012 A festival for Young Artists, By Young Artists A festival for young artists by 2012 season will see two weeks of high explore the comradeship of young artists will take place in quality theatre, dance, spoken word and art teenage conscripts in a futile war.

London at the Ovalhouse from taking place throughout the building.

It will also provide a platform and trainThe festival will take place 11th to 14th January 2012.

Did you know that 33% of all Londoners are under 26? The 33% London; a multidisciplinary arts festival celebrates the diverse and exciting talent of young artists in the capital. Now in its fifth year, the

ing for artists who are less likely to take traditional routes into the arts.

The festival will feature “The Grandfathers” by Rory Mullarkey and Directed by Toby Clarke. The play combines movement, puppetry and text to

at Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW, London.

For further information, please visit www.ovalhouse. com.

AFRONEWS | My Own Media Ltd. The Old Fire Station, 140 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4SD, United Kingdom | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Stephen Ogongo Ongong'a | TEL: +44 (0)20 7300 7320 or +39 06 94354517 |Fax: 0207 253 23 06 | Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk | CONTRIBUTOR: Monika Ribeiro. | ADVERTISING: TEL: 020 7300 7320; 07846062331 | Email: sales@myownmedia.co.uk | DISTRIBUTION: Tojake Ukwade | Email: info@myownmedia.co.uk | PRINTING PRESS: Newsfax Ltd, London. | Advertiser and advertising agency assume liability for all content (including text representation, illustrations, and photographs) of advertisements printed or posted, and also assume responsibility for any claims arising there from made against the publisher | Supplement of Africa News, Registered at the Tribunal of Rome. Registration No. 22/2003 - 21-01-2003

COMMUNITY

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

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Rev Jesse Jackson calls for public inquiry into deaths in custody Disturbingly mental health service users make up 61% of all deaths in custody. More work therefore needs to be done to prevent further fatalities amongst this vulnerable group.

©Eric Guo

Rev Jesse Jackson, a veteran US civil rights activist has publicly backed the call for an independent judicial inquiry into the deaths in police custody in the UK. On 15th December 2011 Rev Jackson joined campaigners in London who have come together to stand with the families affected by these tragedies.

“I believe in human rights for all human beings,” Rev Jackson said.

He observed that when faced with the trappings of slavery, people have two options, to either adjust or resist. “Too many people adjust to the oppression,” he said, adding that they don’t protest but simply accept pain.

Rev Jackson warned against adjusting to oppression, saying that it is not an option. “Sometimes it takes the death of a loved one to wake us up,” to resist and fight back, he said.

The meeting highlighted the widespread distrust that the recent spate of deaths of Mark Duggan,

“Sometimes it takes the death of a loved one to wake us up” Rev Jesse Jackson

Kingsley Burrell Brown, Demetre Faser and Jacob Michael, at the hands of the police has caused.

Speakers stressed the need for establishment of an independent judicial public inquiry to ensure “I think it’s important to say there is clearly that deaths in custody are accountability when really a human rights issue deaths in cusbecause what we are talking about tody occur. think is the discrimination, the inhuman it’s “Iimportant and degrading treatment that are to say clearly meted out to men and women and that deaths in custody are children” really a human rights issue because Ms. Deborah Coles, what we are Co-Director of INQUEST talking about

is the discrimination, the inhuman and degrading treatment that are meted out to men and women and children,” said Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST. “And of course it’s also a human rights issue because of the right to life and the fact that the deaths expose our failure to protect the right to life.”

In the UK last year there was a 164% increase in the rate of stop and searches targeting back people. This helps explain why fatalities are disproportionately higher among the UK’s African Caribbean communities.

Government data shows that in the past 12 months alone black men have made up 20% of the deaths in police custody, despite coming from a community that are just 2% of the population.

Complaints Commissions (IPCC) investigations has destroyed the community’s confidence in the current investigative process. The families of those who have died whilst in custody deserve a public inquiry and the nation’s best interests would be best served by such an inquiry.”

Matilda MacAttram, Director of Black Mental Health UK cited government figures showing that black men and users of mental health services are the most likely to lose their lives while in custody. “The tragic cases of Kingsley Burrell-Brown, Smiley Culture and Mark Duggan make it clear that this problem will not go away by itself.”

The issue must be made a political agenda in order to bring about reform “so that there is both accountability and transparency in the way these cases are dealt with,” Ms. MacAttram said.

Lee Jasper, Chair of London Race & Criminal Justice Consortium & Executive member of Operation Hope and Recovery, said: “Suspicious deaths in police custody represent the critical fault line in police and community relationships. This past year has seen a disturbing increase in the number of black men “Government figures show that who have lost black men and people who use their lives mental health services are the whilst in police most likely to lose their lives custody. Had the Government while in custody. The tragic heeded the warning signs cases of Kingsley Burrell-Brown, Smiley Culture and Mark about this issue, the August riots Duggan make it clear that this could have been problem will not go away by avoided.

“In the wake itself” of this summer’s unrest, Ms. Matilda MacAttram, the controversy over the Director of Black Mental Independent Health UK P o l i c e

Lorraine Pascale’s beautiful kitchen A British former model, turned cook, and pâtissière Lorraine Pascale was born in 1972, to Caribbean parents. Sadly, her early family was unable to give her a home and by the time Lorraine was 18 months she got adopted by another family.

After that family also fell apart, when she was about three years old, she remained with her mother. After her mum fell sick, again Lorraine was transferred from one to another adoptive family. There was little stability in her early life, although subsequently she did return to her first adoptive mother.

Spotted quite early (at a tender age of 16) by the same model scout who first “put his eyes” on Naomi Campbell, Lorraine moved to New York, where she worked for the biggest names in the fashion industry including: Chanel, Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Versace, Benetton and Donna Karan. She also became the first British black model to appear on the cover of the American “Elle”.

What is interesting is that in spite of her success in the fashion world, Lorraine was determined and focused enough to look for a passion, which would be there for her after she could no longer do modelling. She searched in a few

different places for an “after-career”, and upon enrolling onto a variety of cooking courses she found it in a seemingly less glamorous place – “the kitchen”.

Some of the contacts she already had in media might have helped in her later presenting career; yet initially she did put in the necessary effort, and upon completing the Leith’s Diploma of Food and Wine, she enrolled for another two year foundation degree in International Culinary Arts in Pastry.

Subsequently, Lorraine began working for some of the best known and respected kitchens in the world (Petrus, The Mandarin Oriental, Gilgamesh and The

Wolseley). Understandably, long restaurant working hours failed to tickle her fancy, which then led Lorraine to opening her own business.

Consequently, as reported by the Guardian newspaper: “Earlier this year, her first TV show, ‘Baking Made Easy’, was watched by more than 2 million people and the accompanying book was second only to Jamie Oliver’s 30-Minute Meals in the bestseller lists”.

Also, as reported on Lorraine’s website she plans to continue sharing “...her delicious recipes, secrets, passion and know-how in a fabulous new feel-good series, ‘Home Cooking Made Easy’.”

As a former model “should” Lorraine looks great (as though she bakes much more than she eats), and seems to be quite comfortable behind the camera. All of the above combined with her relaxed, and rather joyous way of presenting cause one to want to watch the series. Her recipes are stylish, simple and creative, delicious to look at as well as to eat.

It is easy to see how passionate she is about the art of cookery, which indeed does help to make home baking and home cooking (which some may consider rather mundane) look like easy and attractive activities.

By Monika Ribeiro

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

COMMUNITY

Father given life sentence for killing son and daughter A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing son and daughter. Jean Francis Say, 62, murdered eight-year-old Regina and 10-year-old Rolls during a weekend visit with him.

On 12th December 2011, at the Old Bailey, Mr. Say was handed a minimum term of 30 years for each of the murders.

Mr. Say called 999 on 13th February shortly after 08:00hrs and told the police operator he had killed his children. He then called his wife and told her he had killed her children. He also told her to come and collect their bodies.

Minutes later police officers arrived at 33 Empire Square, SE1, to find the bodies of the two children in their beds - their throats had been cut and Rolls had also suffered a serious head injury. Both children also suffered defence wounds.

In 2008, Mrs. Say and the children moved out of the family home in Empire Square and Mr. Say was allowed custody of Rolls and Regina at the weekends.

At the time of the murders Mr. Say was set to be evicted from the Empire Square property. He had lost his entitlement to the flat as a consequence of his wife and children moving out of the property.

“Say’s actions were cruel, brutal and abhorrent,” Detective Inspector Paul Clack,

The sentence “reflects the gravity of what he has done. It cannot of course wipe away the terrible loss of these two young children. Nor can it in any way compensate for the unimaginable loss suffered by Regina and Rolls’ mother who has displayed great courage, dignity and strength throughout this ordeal” Detective Inspector Paul Clack, Child Abuse Command

Regina and Rolls were killed by their father Jean Francis Say Child Abuse Command said.

Detective Clack said that the sentence Mr. Say received “reflects the gravity of what he has done. It cannot of course wipe

away the terrible loss of these two young children. Nor can it in any way compensate for the unimaginable loss suffered by Regina and Rolls’ mother who has dis-

played great courage, dignity and strength throughout this ordeal.”

He paid tribute to Mrs. Say, close friends and family who helped support her.

“I would also like to request on her behalf that her privacy is respected through this incredibly difficult period,” Detective Clack said.

Are you and your family ready to step back in time?

BBC ONE casting call for families If you and your family would like to tread in your ancestors’ footsteps in a unique living history experience, then you may have a chance of appearing in BBC ONE’s hit living history series TURN BACK TIME. The new show will focus on family history. This time the producers are looking at family life through the ages and they are on the hunt for families to travel through time and experience a century of change first hand.

They’ll take a street of houses back to

1901 and over the course of several weeks fast forward the families through the 20th century. In an exciting new twist, some of the families’ journey will even be based on their own family history!

Over the course of the century, the street’s community will evolve and reflect change in British society – so as well as two parent families the producers would love to hear from single parent families and anyone whose family migrated to the UK in the post-war years.

The producers are keen to hear from you if you’d like to participate in the show.

For more information please contact turn-

backtimethefamily@walltowall.co.uk or call 020 3301 7425.

The deadline for families applying to take part in show is Friday 13th January 2012.

The sooner you apply the better your chances will be.

You are however, warned against doing any additional research into your family history - it’s helpful if you don’t know too much in advance.

Filming will be in Spring 2012.

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6

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

CURRENT AFFAIRS

BCC: Larger UK companies rely on migrant workers The report published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on 14th December 2011,

reveals that while firms with more than 50 employees have ambitions to grow, they are held back by a lack of skilled workers and burdensome regulation.

Firms must be able to access the right skills as and when they need them, or risk not being able to fill vacancies which will in turn hamper their business growth. The report shows that the

“Many firms are unable to find the skilled workers they need in the UK, and lack confidence in the ability of the education system to deliver the right people for the job.

For some, hiring workers from overseas allows them to access the skills they need.

Business needs a migration policy for growth that allows UK firms to hire workers with the skills they need” Mr. John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce

Europe asked to ratify convention to fight violence against women European States have been asked to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men said the convention is the most comprehensive legally binding instrument in the world and may therefore “save and change the lives of millions of victims.”

The Committee urged European States to sign and ratify this convention and to imple-

ment it effectively.

The parliamentarians pointed out that, in order to enter into force, it must be signed and ratified by a sufficiently large number of member states and welcomed the political resolve shown by Turkey, the first state to ratify it “in record time”.

Turkey ratified the convention six months after its signature.

Member States were also asked not to enter reservations to the convention, to apply it not only to women but also to the other victims of domestic violence, and to organise education campaigns to improve awareness of this problem in society at large.

majority (57%) of firms in the UK with more than 50 staff employ some migrant workers.

For almost half (47%) of these businesses, the majority of their migrant workforce is from outside the EU. In the light of these facts, the government’s ambition to reduce net migration is of particular concern to UK’s firms since they need a stable visa system which allows them to recruit from outside the UK if they cannot source the skills they need from the domestic labour market.

Commenting on the report, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The government must think business first and give larger companies the confidence they need to create jobs, particularly when unemployment is at a high. Many firms are unable to find the skilled workers they need in the UK, and lack confidence in the ability of the education system to deliver the right people for the job. For some, hiring workers from overseas allows them to access the

skills they need.

“Business needs a migration policy for growth that allows UK firms to hire workers with the skills they need.”

While pointing out that such a system doesn’t have to be in conflict with the government’s promises to reduce net migration, Mr.

Longworth said that “a stable visa system with consistent rules would reassure and attract the best talent looking to find work.”

He advised the government to make it easier for firms unable find the skills they need in the UK to recruit them from overseas.

Step up fight against gay discrimination, EU urged Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Europeans continue to face discrimination in many parts of the continent, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has said.

“Homosexuality has been decriminalised all over Europe, but prejudice and hypocrisy still exist towards LGBT persons in Europe,” he said.

Mr. Jagland noted that some countries in Europe recently proposed and even adopted discriminatory laws against the LGBT. “This is a violation of basic

human rights and a set back to the progress we have achieved in promoting and protecting human dignity,” he said.

He reminded European governments, political and moral leaders “that the European Convention on Human Rights does not allow for persecution on the grounds of sexual identity,” and urged all “to bear in mind that human rights are for all or they are for none.”

©EU

Many UK businesses are frustrated by a lack of skilled labour in the UK, making it necessary for them to rely on migrant workers, a new report has revealed.

©Dreamtime.com

Make it easier for firms to recruit from abroad, government told

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland

Get your latest immigration news on Your news, your guides, your concerns, your beauty, your recipes, your people. This one is all about you! www.foreignersinuk.co.uk

CURRENT AFFAIRS

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

7

Britons continue to see immigration as a problem Most Europeans and Americans see immigration as a problem yet remain optimistic about immigrant integration, a new public opinion survey shows.

In the midst of the global economic crisis and “Arab Spring,” attitudes toward immigration remain stable in the United States and five European countries, the 2011 “Transatlantic Trends: Immigration” survey has revealed.

The survey also shows that while most disapprove of government management of immigration, a majority of Americans and Europeans support centralized immigration policies over local ones.

The survey conducted in the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom,

shows slight majorities in the United States (53%) and Europe (52%) continue to view immigration as more of a problem than an opportunity.

Most also maintain a negative view of government management of immigration, with 68% of Europeans and 73% of Americans believing that their government is doing a poor or very poor job.

Nevertheless, most Americans (56%) and Europeans (52%) remain optimistic about immigrant integration, and majorities are interested in letting in more highly educated immigrants.

“Policymakers should pay attention to the results of Transatlantic Trends: Immigration,” says German Marshall Fund President Craig Kennedy. “The survey reveals that, even in tumultuous political and economic times, Americans and Europeans have stable feel-

ings about immigration but are still frustrated with how their governments are handling the issue.”

Americans and Europeans largely overestimated the percent share of immigrants in their countries. British respondents, on average, estimated a foreign-born population of 31.8%, while just 11.3% of the population is actually foreign born. Americans, on average, estimated a foreign-born population of 37.8%, and the actual foreign-born population is only 12.5% of the population.

Strong majorities in all countries polled in Europe support European burden-sharing on the North African migration crisis, with 80% of respondents agreeing that responsibility should be shared by all countries in the EU rather than by the country where migrants first arrive. The lowest support was expressed in the U.K.

©Dreamtime.com

Survey shows they sympathize with forced immigrants

(68%), and the highest support was found in Italy (88%).

On the broader issue of forced migration, the survey showed very high support for people

avoiding armed conflict, with 79% of Europeans and 74% of Americans in favour of allowing such migrants.

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

COVER

Moremi, an African-inspired Risk Management Programme Joachim Adenusi creates risk edutainment programme with an African folklore twist African drumbeat is finally finding its way out of the dance halls into boardrooms. However, its mission is not to destruct the executives from focusing on their businesses.

African drumbeat is actually getting in there to help them manage risks in an innovative manner, doing so in an African style – working happily.

This is what Risk Edutainment - Moremi aims to achieve. This new programme innovatively uses classical African folklore, performed by professional actors and actresses live or via interactive DVD, to teach the core principles

of risk management, governance, leadership, and performance management in a training environment.

Created by Joachim Adenusi, the public sector 2009 Risk Manager of the Year and Former Director of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), this cuttingedge training programme aims to “inject life and inspiration” into the sometimes dull world of risk management.

Mr. Adenusi, who is also an Executive Director of Inspirational Risk & Management Solutions (IRMS) Ltd. a risk management solutions firm, was inspired to develop the Moremi play after producing a risk training DVD during his time as the Head of

Risk Management at Essex County Council.

Mr. Adenusi believes that the course will inspire top decision makers “to see the benefits of using risk managing skills as a decision-making tool. It will enable organisations to see the links between strategy, risk, performance and reward, encouraging them to begin addressing the cultural issues in most organisations.”

The course which has already been rolled out to various organisations on a trial basis, has been hailed as “an exciting alternative to more traditional approaches to risk management training” by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Interview with Joachim Adenusi, creator of Risk Edutainment – Moremi

Moremi makes risk management entertaining Joachim Adenusi is one of the leading authorities in promoting and implementing holistic performance-based Enterprise Risk Management across the UK.

Strategic Risk Management Award.

He was nominated for implementing the ‘Best Risk Management Approach in the Public Sector’ in 2007, the ‘Best Risk Communication of the Year’ in 2008, and the UK Risk Manager of the Year Award in As the Head of Risk Management at 2009. Mr. Adenusi has a degree in Actuarial Essex Council, one of the largest UK Science and a postgraduate diploma in organizations, Mr. Adenusi introduced and Actuarial Science from City University implemented effective risk management (Cass Business School), London, and an initiatives which earned the organisation MSc in Risk Management from Glasgow the highly recommended European Caledonian Business School, Scotland. He is a chartered insurance practiSend The AfroNews your stories tioner (ACII), a and pictures Fellow and former Director Have you got a story to share with our readers? the Institute of We'd love to hear about it, so please send it to us. of R i s k You may also send photos together with your sto- M a n a g e m e n t ries. Kindly include a contact phone number in (IRM), and he is case we have any questions or need more informa- currently advising major UK tion. Please send your stories and pictures to: financial services and underafronews@myownmedia.co.uk writers on the

process of implementing and embedding Solvency II requirements.

In this exclusive interview with The AfroNews he explains how he came up with Moremi programme and how it can benefit people in different fields.

be practical, innovative, interactive, entertaining, and especially inspiring.

Adenusi, why did you decide to create Risk Edutainment – Moremi?

What would you say is the unique aspect of Risk Edutainment – Moremi, what makes it different from other programmes?

Risk management is not considered the most exciting subject in the world, and yet I find it incredibly fascinating. I was looking for a way to communicate my passion for the subject and help organisations and individuals enjoy managing risks.

I have always believed in doing things a bit differently – I thought that if I could draw from my background to use storytelling and art to educate on this subject, I could create a training course that would

Risk Edutainment - Moremi is a unique combination of original African history and exciting fiction. The play (which is named after the heroine of the story) makes use of contemporary and professional language in an African setting to capture the audience and take them deep into the ancient West African city of IleIfe, where they will have the opportunity to learn how to make highly effective deci-

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

COVER

9

“Moremi is different because it encourages delegates to “think outside the box”. Most people manage risks in their everyday lives without realising it, but they struggle with it at work for different reasons. Applying formal risk management techniques to an informal story in this way helps people to experience risk management in a new way. Risk edutainment makes risk management come alive for delegates and hopefully helps them see that it is not as boring, tedious or as scary as they might have expected” Mr. Joachim Adenusi, Creator of Moremi Risk Management Programme sions in difficult times – right in the comfort of the training room.

Moremi is different because it encourages delegates to “think outside the box”. Most people manage risks in their everyday lives without realising it, but they struggle with it at work for different reasons. Applying formal risk management techniques to an informal story in this way helps people to experience risk management in a new way. Risk edutainment makes risk management come alive for delegates and hopefully helps them see that it is not as boring, tedious or as scary as they might have expected.

Have you experimented it?

Yes we have.

What reactions have you received from those who have tried it?

The reactions have so far been really positive and certainly encouraging. We have received comments from our participants hailing the approach as being innovative and exciting. More so, most of our delegates have said that the course inspired them and made the subject come to life for them in a whole new way.

How do you plan to implement the training programme?

Who can best benefit from Risk Edutainment – Moremi?

Corporate Directors (Executive & Non Executive); Banks, Insurance and other financial services Directors, Senior Managers & Staff; Public and Private Sector Senior Management Teams & Staff; Elected Political Leaders, Local Council Leaders & Members and Ministers, Commissioners, Senior Civil Servants and Government Officials.

From your experience, are African managers good at risk management?

It is difficult to say whether African managers are good at risk management or not. The most important thing is that whoever comes to the understanding of the benefits and added value of using risk management skills to make key decisions will experience the difference in their organisations.

Would you say that African leaders are good at risk management?

Just as I said in my previous response, African leaders can become more effective in minimising threats and maximising opportunities by actively applying Enterprise Risk Management thinking in setting strategic goals, driving performance, wealth creation, ensuring security, developing the economy and creating an environment not only conducive for their citizens, but that will also be attractive to foreigners.

Any other comments

At the moment the course is offered in two ways – as an inhouse course or as an open course at our training centre for which anyone can register via our website or by phone.

We will be officially launching the Risk Edutainment - Moremi programme on 23rd February 2011 in Central London.

It will be a night of cultural edutainment where the full Moremi film (45 minutes)

Above: Pictures from Moremi play will be shown to an audience of directors and executives. The event is open to managers, directors and chief executives of public sector and private organisations who have an interest in implementing risk management strategies within their organisation. Please contact us for more details (Email: pr@inspirationalrisk.com).

Also, we have decided to contribute part of the proceeds from this training programme to charities and organisations working towards the developments of African communities. I have a dream that one day this programme will not only assist organisations globally, but will inspire many Africans in developing the concept of good governance, effective risk management and sound internal control systems supporting the development of our sleeping continent.

You can find out more about the Moremi programme and IRMS Ltd by visiting www. inspirationalrisk.com.

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

CURRENT AFFAIRS

IOM: Provide health services to all, including irregular migrants

In most countries, migrants unsafe working conditions due to their still lack adequate access to health irregular legal status, are the most vulnerable among the migrant groups. The fear of services, IOM has said.

With more than one billion migrants worldwide, 214 million of them international migrants, every country in the world is either dependent on the labour, skills and knowledge migrants bring or on the estimated US$ 404 billion they remitted in 2011.

Yet one of the biggest challenges facing global health today is migration, IOM says.

Migrants are among the most affected by the lack of access to health services. This depends on many factors including linguistic or cultural differences, a lack of affordable health services or health insurance, administrative hurdles, legal status and the fact that migrants often work extremely long and unsocial hours.

Undocumented migrants, often at risk from violence, exploitation, poor living and

deportation also means irregular migrants don’t seek health assistance unless it’s an emergency or too late.

“There is an acceptance among States to address the health inequities among vulnerable communities in their countries. This acknowledgement needs to include migrants who unfortunately remain among the most discriminated and vulnerable group in today’s society and who continue to be largely invisible on the global health agenda,” says IOM Director General William Lacy Swing.

Currently, only a very few countries in the world offer access to health services for all, including irregular migrants. Examples include Argentina, Brazil, France, Portugal and Spain.

Despite recent health crises such as

SARS (SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome) most governments have recognized that and the Avian influenza and the re-emer- migrants are an economic necessity that gence of diseases such as tuberculosis countries cannot do without. IOM, howevunderlining the urgent necessity of includ- er, argues that migrants are above all human ing migrants into health care systems, glob- beings who should not be seen as mere al progress on this issue is painfully slow. commodities representing an economic A few positive steps forward in the value that are easily replaceable. migrant health debate include Resolution “Migrants have proved time and again 61.17 of the 2008 World Health Assembly, their positive contribution to the developwhich urges Members of the WHO to pro- ment of societies and economies. Their mote the health of migrants, the European exclusion from health services and policies Parliament’s Resolution on Reducing is not only a denial of the basic human right Health Inequities in the EU in March 2011 to health but also a misguided pandering to and the Dhaka Declaration by Asian migrant public fears and perceptions of migrants as origin countries in April this year calling for a burden on social services,” states Mr. migrant inclusive health policies for their Swing. “It is now time for countries to be nationals in destination countries. bold, to take action and uphold a tenet they “Significant as these steps are, what’s ascribe to - the right to health for all.” needed is for declarations and resolutions to turn into concrete, tangible action. And for more countries to join the list of those that “There is an acceptance among do provide equal access to States to address the health inequihealth services for all. To do so makes human, economic and ties among vulnerable communisocial sense,” Mr. Swing adds. ties in their countries. This Restricting irregular migrants to only emergency acknowledgement needs to include care, says IOM, is not based on migrants who unfortunately sound public health principles.

Such restrictions lead to poor remain among the most discriminated and vulnerable group in health outcomes for the individual and increases public today’s society and who continue health risks, particularly if it concerns infectious diseases. It to be largely invisible on the global is also ultimately more expenhealth agenda” sive than if migrants had access to preventive and primary health Mr. William Lacy Swing, care.

Despite political and social IOM Director General sensitivities on migration,

15 minutes of free calls up for grabs

Take part in survey on migrants’ usage of phone and internet Foreigners and ethnic minorities in the UK and seven other EU countries are invited to take part in a European survey on the usage of the internet and mobile phones.

Those born outside the EU and those whose parents were born outside the EU are being questioned on how they use the Internet and mobile phones to talk with friends, to find information, to get a job, and participate in the local community and wider society.

Primary focus is given to the views of people of South Asian and Caribbean background.

The online survey takes only 15 minutes to complete, and one in 10 participants will receive 15 minutes of free telephone calls as a reward for taking part.

The survey, conducted by the Open University of Catalonia on behalf of the

European Commission, has the intention the researchers. “It is being conducted in Netherlands, Spain and the United of yielding a “better understanding of the eight countries: Austria, the Czech Kingdom.” The survey continues until the 021211_150.8x69_TTX_Afro_0037_en.ai 1 02/12/2011 11:21:52 integration of minority and migrant com- Republic, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the end of the year. munities in Europe.”

It is also expected to “help inform the policy T-TALK development of the International Calls from your mobile E u r o p e a n Commission.”

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No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

THE GUIDE

Joining with your partner or spouse in UK If you have legal status in the UK or are a British citizen and are in a stable relationship with someone from outside the EEA (visa national) and you want your partner to come and live with you here on a permanent basis, whether you are married or not, or whether your relationship is opposite or same-sex, your partner may be eligible to apply for a settlement visa.

Once settlement visa is granted, after passing a probationary period of 2-years together in the UK, permanent settlement, i.e. indefinite leave to remain (ILR), can by applied for.

The person in the UK will be considered by the Entry Clearance Officer at the British Embassy as the “Sponsor”; while the partner who is applying for the settlement visa is the “Applicant”.

If you have permanent legal status in the UK (such as British citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain) then your partner will need to apply for a settlement visa at the British Embassy closest to where they live.

The appropriate form to apply for a visa in view of settlement is Form VAF4a.

If however you have temporary visa status in the UK, such as a Tier 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 visa, then your foreign spouse or partner must apply for a dependent visa to join you in the UK on the basis of your limited leave in the UK. You will need to use a different application form, usually this will be a PBS Dependant application and your spouse or partner will receive a visa for the same period of time for which your visa in the UK is valid.

If your spouse or partner entered the UK under a different immigration category (for example, as a student), they may be allowed to switch into spouse/ civil or unmarried partner category if they have been given a total of more

©Dreamtime.com

SPECIAL UK LEGAL GUIDE

12

dependants) may be able to apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK (Indefinite Leave To Remain). If ILR is granted, they will be eligible to welfare benefits.

After a further 3 years and assuming that you are or have become British, your spouse/civil partner/unmarried/same-sex partner can apply for British citizenship.

If during the probationary period the marriage/civil partnership/established relationship has broken down, then your foreign spouse/civil partner/unmarried/ same-sex partner may not apply for ILR on the basis of the marriage and would need to look at alternative options to regularise their legal stay in the UK.

Application Forms

than 6 months’ permission to live here since their most recent admission to the UK. This permission must have been given in accordance with the Immigration Rules, not ‘exceptionally’. The minimum of more than 6 months does not apply if they entered on a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa, or as your spouse/civil partner/unmarried/samesex partner of a Tier 1 Migrant, and you are still their same spouse or partner.

Probationary Period If your spouse/civil partner/unmarried/same-sex partner (and any dependants) are granted a settlement visa, it will initially be for a probationary period of up to 27 months (‘2-year probationary period’). They will be able

to work and study here, but will not be able to claim welfare benefits.

You may be able to get permission to live permanently in the UK (ILR) as soon as you arrive, if you and your partner married or formed a civil partnership at least 4 years prior to the application.

Assuming that their relationship with you acquired legal status once in the UK, fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners will first need to switch to spouse/civil partner visa for the probationary period to commence.

If your application is refused, under this category you have a full right of appeal.

If your marriage/civil partnership/ established relationship still subsists at the end of the 2-year period, your spouse/civil or unmarried partner (and any

The appropriate form to apply for settlement or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) as spouse or civil partner is: Form SET(M) – settlement (please see page 7 of the form).

If the settled partner passes away, the foreign spouse/civil partner/ unmarried/same-sex partner may apply for settlement as a bereaved partner.

They can make the application using form SET(O). immediately after the partner’s death - they do not need to wait until they have been here for a certain length of time.

By Foreignersinuk.co.uk Disclaimer: The above article is meant to be relied upon as an informative article and in no way constitutes legal advice. Information is offered for general information purposes only, based on the current law when the information was published in this newspaper.

ADVERTORIAL

Western Union Launches Prepaid Platform in Europe with MasterCard Gift Card and GoCash Service in UK WHSmith offers prepaid at over 500 locations across the country. Agreement with InComm makes way for expanded in-lane money transfer service.

Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, has announced that it is extending its prepaid card platform to the United Kingdom with the launch of the Western Union® GoCash Service SM, providing consumers with convenient new ways to share money with

friends and family anytime of the year – including the upcoming Christmas period.

“Western Union is a world leader in prepaid financial services, providing people with innovative, easy-to-use products and services,” said Western Union Senior Vice President for Europe & CIS Jan Hillered. “We are committed to responding to the market’s needs and that means providing prepaid products all over the world to help people take part in a global marketplace increasingly moving toward card and account-based transactions.”

As one of the leading retailers of gift cards in the UK, WHSmith is now stocking GoCash products at over 500 high street and travel stores across the country.

“WHSmith is pleased to be working with Western Union to bring its GoCash offering to the UK,” said Ian Sanders, WHSmith Commercial Development Director. “We regularly look at providing our customers with additional products and services which complement our core product categories.”

With the GoCash service, consumers

have the option to select packages with any of three prepaid amounts ranging from £50; £100 and £200. GoCash cards can be used for both domestic and international money transfers. Once purchased, the sender will need to complete the transaction over the phone through a Western Union customer service representative and provide the money-transfer information to the receiver.

To find out more about the Western Union GoCash service please visit http:// www.westernunion.co.uk/gocash.

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

AFRICAN NEWS

13

Unless early action is taken, millions of people in West Africa will face a serious food crisis next year, Oxfam has warned.

Investments should be made in preventative measures now that early indicators point to a likely food crisis in 2012, with people at particularly high risk in Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad, the agency said.

Governments across the

region, who have already recognised the seriousness of the coming crisis, should scale up efforts to make sure people have money to buy food, receive animal feed for their livestock and to ensure emergency food is stocked and ready to be distributed, Oxfam said.

“The situation is looking extremely worrying for millions of people in West Africa,” said Mamadou Biteye, Oxfam

Humanitarian Lead in West Africa. “The crisis has been identified early, and we know that there are cost-effective measures that can be taken now to protect the most vulnerable. This time we can act before the emergency hits.”

Early warning systems have identified a range of factors that are contributing to the coming crisis. Low rainfall and water levels, poor harvests and lack of pasture, high food prices and a drop in remittances from migrants are all causing serious problems.

According to national early warning systems, cereal production is down compared to the five year average, with Mauritania and Chad showing deficits of over 50% compared to last year.

National food reserves are dangerously low, while prices of some key cereals are up to 40% higher than the five year average.

While evaluations are still ongoing to identify those most at risk, early reports suggest six million people in Niger and 2.9 million people in Mali live in areas vulnerable to the coming crisis, whilst in Mauritania 700,000 people - over one-quarter of the population - are reported as at

“The situation is looking extremely worrying for millions of people in West Africa. The crisis has been identified early, and we know that there are costeffective measures that can be taken now to protect the most vulnerable. This time we can act before the emergency hits” Mr. Mamadou Biteye, Oxfam Humanitarian Lead in West Africa risk of severe food insecurity.

In Burkina Faso, official estimates are to be released soon but are likely to include over 2 million people at risk of being directly affected. In Chad, 13 out of 22 regions could be affected by food insecurity.

The Sahel region of West Africa last experienced a major food crisis in 2010, which affected ten million people.

Mr. Biteye added: “People are still recovering from the last crisis in 2010 and are incredibly vulnerable to any extra shocks

such as rising food prices, poor harvests or the death of their animals. These people need help now to build their resilience before next year. Acting early could make a huge difference.”

Oxfam is gearing up its work to immediately address the needs of the most vulnerable people.

The agency is working in some of the affected areas helping communities to increase their resilience to the coming crisis and getting ready to provide food assistance.

Stop returning asylum-seekers to Libya, Tunisia told Amnesty International has asked Tunisian authorities to allow asylum-seekers to enter the country through Libyan border crossings and give them access to UN officials to establish their refugee status.

The human rights organization made the call after another group of asylumseekers was returned across the Libyan border.

In the latest in a series of such incidents, on 10th December 2011 Tunisian security forces returned a group of subSaharan African asylum-seekers to their point of entry along the Libyan border.

The group of more than 10 Somalis and Eritreans included a family with newborn babies, and had arrived at the Choucha refugee camp in Tunisia during the previous night after being stranded for weeks on the Libyan side of the Ras Ajdir border crossing.

“These asylum-seekers had informed the Tunisian authorities of their claim to asylum and have a right to be granted access to the UN refugee agency to deter-

mine their status,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.

“Returning them to languish in Libya where there is no mechanism for recognizing or protecting refugees - is not an option.”

Amnesty International said that Libya currently lacks any procedures to formally register asylum-seekers and recognize refugees. It also lacks sufficient guarantees to protect refugees against forcible return to their countries of origin.

In recent months, Tunisian security forces have repeatedly returned groups of asylum-seekers who entered Tunisia from Libya, citing a lack of valid entry visas as the reason for the forcible returns.

But since the individuals have informed the Tunisian authorities that they intend to apply for asylum, their need for international protection must be assessed, said Amnesty International.

The organization believes there is a credible risk that many of the asylumseekers would face serious human rights violations in their home countries.

The UN High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) is managing Choucha refugee camp in Tunisia, where it can carry out refugee status determination (RSD) procedures for asylum-seekers.

Amnesty International is aware of others who are still at the Ras Ajdir border crossing, in hopes of being allowed entry into Tunisia.

International law prohibits countries from rejecting asylum-seekers at the border if it would result directly or indirectly in their return to a country where they risk serious human rights violations.

Refugees who have recently crossed into Tunisia have told Amnesty International that on the Libyan side of the border, armed men have been forcing sub-Saharan Africans to carry out unpaid labour.

During the recent armed conflict in Libya, sub-Saharan Africans were particularly vulnerable to arbitrary arrest and violent attacks on account of their skin

©Amnesty International

©Oxfam

Aid agency warns of serious West Africa food crisis

colour, following reports that troops loyal to Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi were using “African mercenaries”. Many had their homes raided, were arrested and were beaten or otherwise ill-treated by antiGaddafi forces.

“The new Libyan authorities must protect all migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from harassment, attacks and exploitation, regardless of their countries of origin,” said Sahraoui. “Libya must take immediate steps to develop safeguards for refugees and allow the UNHCR to determine the refugee status of asylum-seekers within Libya.”

Amnesty International has appealed to the international community to offer places to resettle refugees and asylum-seekers who fled the conflict in Libya, in order to meet their protection needs.

14

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

ENTERTAINMENT

Young widow storms Kenyan music scene

Winnie Juma releases new LP paying homage to Musa Juma Winnie Juma, the wife of the late Kenyan Rumba “The challenges are many. maestro Musa Juma Being a young lady, it is not very has released a new easy managing a group of twen- album to mourn her ty members (each with their own departed husband.

opinions). Some look down on me as just a young girl. But I thank God for the strength and wisdom to manage the band that my late husband left in my care.

With discipline and prayers, I believe Limpopo will go a long way with me as the leader” Winnie Juma, Leader of Limpopo International Band

Winnie, who has now assumed leadership of Limpopo International Band, composed the songs together with Millie Fedha, the late Musa Juma’s sister.

The album titled “Rapar Musa Juma”, contains mainly mourning songs. The first track “Rapar Musa Juma” was composed by Millie. Here she expresses her sorrow at the ill timed departure of her elder brother.

The second track, “Omondi Tony”, jointly composed by Winnie and Millie, pays homage to the late Omondi Tony, who was Musa Juma’s younger brother and a musician.

The third track, “Wuon Vicky”, is a song Winnie composed in honour of her late husband expressing her sorrow at his untimely death. She also gives a brief history of their life together.

The album closes with “Mama Nyar Ukwala”, a praise song for the mother of the late Musa Juma and Omondi Tony.

Winnie’s husband died on 15th March 2011. His death motivated Winnie to become a musician.

Though she had always had passion for music since she was a child, Winnie never joined her husband’s band while he was still alive.

The vacuum created by his death motivated her to step in and let her music talent emerge. Judging from this release and the positive response her concerts have attracted, there

is no doubt that this young woman is heading for greater things.

Winnie says that it has not been easy managing one of the most famous bands in Kenya. But she is determined to help the band maintain its top rank. Winnie says: “The challenges are many. Being a young lady, it is not very easy managing a group of twenty members (each with their own opinions). Some look down on me as just a young girl. But I thank God for the strength and wisdom to manage the band that my late husband left in my care. With discipline and prayers, I believe Limpopo will go a long way with me as the leader.”

Winnie is happy that her very first release is doing well. “It was my way of expressing my pain due to my loss. So far it is being appreciated and fans are now requesting for more from Winnie Juma,” she says of the new album.

Winnie is confident that they’ll not let their fans down. “The future of Limpopo is bright since we are very determined to continue giving our fans the best music both locally and internationally,” she says.

Winnie appreciates the support she has received from their fans in all parts of the world. “We assure them that we will continue producing quality music just like Musa Juma did and I am grateful that people are appreciating our efforts this far.

There is still more in store for our fans but this will only happen if they continue to support us by attending our live shows and buying original CDs and of course we need their constructive ideas and criticism in running the band,” she says.

Winnie is grateful to their fans for their prayers and continued support. “I appreciate all our fans all over the world who took it upon themselves to pray for us during our trying moments and even those who went out of their way in ensuring that my late husband got the send-off that he deserved,” Winnie says. “I would also like to thank them for their continued patronage that has culminated in our new release, ‘Rapar Musa Juma’. This goes to show that with their continued support, Limpopo with Winnie Juma is yet to rock their world. Watch this space.”

While the new album is already available in Kenya, it is yet to be distributed abroad. Winnie encourages music promoters and distributors in Europe and the US who would like to distribute the new album to contact her. There are also plans of uploading some of the tracks on YouTube and digital online music shops.

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

WINNIE JUMA’S LINK AND CONTACT On Facebook, search for Winnie Juma and Limpopo International Email: winnie.limpopo@yahoo.com

No. 31. 20th December 2011 www.theafronews.eu

LIFESTYLE & RELIGION

15

Study: Early ART in recently HIV-infected patients preferable A new study suggests that among people recently infected with HIV, immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) is preferable to deferring treatment.

Although the benefits of ART during early HIV-1 infection remain unproven, the findings of the study published in the “Journal of Infectious Diseases” support growing evidence favouring earlier ART initiation.

Dr. Christine Hogan of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, led a team of researchers from various institutions to investigate the effects of ART on individuals infected with HIV-1 within the previous six months.

The multicenter clinical trial—the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Setpoint Study— enrolled 130 men and non-pregnant women who were at least 18 years old and had not received ART previously. Participants were randomized into two groups.

In the immediate treatment group, patients were to receive ART treatment for 36 weeks, after which treatment was stopped; treatment was deferred for patients in the second group. All individuals were followed throughout the study.

The study’s primary endpoint was the patients’ virologic setpoint at 72 weeks. The researchers also sought to compare the virologic setpoint at 72 weeks for patients in the immediate treat-

Investigators found that the immediate treatment group had a better outcome than the deferred group. Individuals in the deferred arm experienced higher than anticipated rates of disease progression, necessitating the start of HIV treatment before the study endpoint.

ment group with that of patients in the deferred treatment group at 36 weeks.

Investigators found that the immediate treatment group had a better outcome than the deferred group.

Individuals in the deferred arm experienced higher than anticipated rates of disease progression, necessitating the start of HIV treatment before the study endpoint. Half of the participants in the deferred treatment group required treatment on medical grounds within 18 months.

According to Dr. Hogan and colleagues, the results suggest that “if immediate therapy is not begun, progression to meeting standard criteria for ART initiation may occur more rapidly than expected, especially with changing treatment paradigms.”

In addition, patients who received treatment immediately appear to have been protected not only during treatment but for a brief period of time afterward.

Dr. Harout Tossonian and Dr. Brian Conway of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, noted that “immune preservation and reduction in the

latent pool of HIV-1-carrying CD4 T-cells seems to require intervention at the earliest possible time of acute infection.”

They wrote that the advantages of immediate treatment appear to be achieved with little to no harm to the patient, either in terms of drug-related toxicity or emergence of drug resistance.

“The initial course of 36 weeks of treatment may delay the need for

re-starting it more than the 36 weeks spent on it from the time of initial presentation,” Drs. Tossonian and Conway wrote.

“Thus over the lifetime of the patient, there will be less cumulative drug exposure.”

Dr. Hogan and her team suggest that the findings may be of interest to clinicians and patients struggling with when to begin ART.

Reaching out to non churchgoing Catholics during Christmas Materials have been made available to Catholic parishes across England and Wales to support outreach to non churchgoing Catholics during Advent and Christmas.

Come Home for Christmas is a seasonal outreach initiative which aims to offer a welcome to Catholics who for different reasons no longer or rarely attend Mass. It is a project of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

A variety of posters and invitation cards to appeal to different audiences are available for download from: http://www. catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Features/ Christmas-Outreach-to-non-ChurchgoingCatholics.

There is also a bespoke website for those wanting to explore reconnecting with parish life: www.comehomeforchristmas.co.uk.

The promotion of the resources follows the launch of a national tour in York on 12th November 2011 called ‘Crossing the Threshold’ which is aimed at supporting churchgoing Catholics to reach out and

minister to baptised Catholics who rarely or never attend Mass.

The event at English Martyrs Church brought an estimated 140 people together from across the area for a time of prayer, fellowship and discussion. The day also included a main talk and practically focused workshops.

Bishop Terence Drainey of Middlesbrough Diocese who attended the event said: “The ’Crossing the Threshold’ Regional Evangelisation Day was exciting. It was good to see so many there, far more than were expected. It was also good to see people from different parts of our region.”

Bishop Drainey said that at the end of Mass they were told to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. “All of us who have been baptised and confirmed have been given a share in the mission of spreading the Word and building up the Body of the Church,” Bishop Drainey said.

“In essence the content of the resource day showed us that the mission is on our door-

steps and we can bring the Gospel into our lives and the lives of those we meet through simple gestures. One of the most important ways is by inviting people to come and see, to come and meet the Lord and also by accompanying them in friendship.”

Bishop John Rawsthorne (Hallam) also attended the day and presided at the Mass.

In his homily he said: “It is important that we strive to do our best to respond to the call to reach out to non churchgoers mindful that they and all our efforts are in God’s

hands. It is His work and our task is to prayerfully listen to his prompting and direction.”

Sheilagh Preston, a parishioner from Mother of God, Sheffield (Hallam Diocese), attended the day representing the National Board of Catholic Women. She said: “It was an exceptional day for all. I went away elated.

I felt we were on the move in responding practically to the needs of those we love and are concerned about. Listening to peoples’ stories was emphasised repeatedly on the day and I think this is essential.”

Four more tour days will be offered in 2012 covering: 4th February in Birmingham, 3rd March in Crawley, 28th April in Westminster and 23rd June in Cardiff.

For more information and bookings please contact Home Mission Desk, 020 7 901 4818, email mission.volunteer@ cbcew.org.uk. You may also dial 0770 939 1998 and see the non churchgoing Catholics’ web page (http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Catholic-Church/HomeMission/Non-Churchgoing-Catholics).