Inergration in Birmingham: The Young Professional’s View

Birmingham is one of Britain’s most diverse cities and in 2026 is due to attain plurality – this is where no one ethnic group makes up over 50% of the population. But how cohesive do young professionals and young business people think Birmingham is and does it affect or even concern them?
The Barrow Cadbury Trust, a charitable foundation, carried out comprehensive research and produced a report in May 2008 called ‘Beyond Pancakes and Popadoms’ which explored integration and diversity in Birmingham. The trust undertook a city wide poll and conducted focus groups from various ethnic and religious groups: Black-Caribbean, (Ladywood); Whites (Northfield); and Pakistani-Muslims (Sparkbrook).
On Wednesday 28 October 2009, at 6.00pm Birmingham Future’s Diversity Committee will be holding an event to discover Birmingham’s young professionals and business people’s attitudes and opinions. We will be pleased to welcome Pippa Lane from the Barrow Cadbury Trust who will also be providing an update on latest research carried out by the Trust.
We would like attendees to pose their own questions. However, we would also like your opinions on the following:
• Will the current economic climate lead to more segregation if people start to obtain jobs through who they know instead of what they know?
• Do you think increased diversity leads to more meaningful integration or more segregation?
• Thinking about the different ethnic communities that live in the city of Birmingham today how much would you say they have to do with each other in general?
• How often do you socialise with someone from a different ethnic background ?
In the Trust’s city wide poll, 61% of 25 to 34 year olds said that they socialise with someone from a different ethnic background on a daily basis. Also, almost two-thirds of people polled, living in Birmingham, met their friends from different ethnic backgrounds at work (64%).
However, the focus groups revealed there remain anxieties over access to public services and concerns over community cohesion which are often used as examples of growing conflict between diverse ethnic communities. For example, there were suspicions that money was being unfairly spent in parts of the city with large ethnic minority populations, concerns that local schools were becoming segregated and precluding children from mixing with those of other faiths; a perceived priority for ethnic minorities for social housing; concerns about the stereotyping of ethnic minorities and associated racial prejudice; and a fear of losing identify and becoming increasingly beleaguered.

Overall, the Trust’s report concluded that Birmingham had a great willingness among people to make their diverse and cosmopolitan city work for everyone and that relations between different ethnic groups have improved over time. The report also concluded that there were insufficient opportunities for different ethnic groups to mix and that government initiatives were failing. On a positive note, voluntary and community groups and social facilities (e.g. sports clubs) were most effective in fostering integration.

Also on the Panel to illicit and discuss views will be Aaron Reid, former Birmingham Young Professional of the Year finalist and Director of Birmingham Professional Diversity and Faraz Yousufzai, Senior Partner of Waterhouse Consulting Group and founder of the Muslim Writer Awards.

A fully copy of the report is available at http://www.bctrust.org.uk/publications/?page=2

Schools Need YOU!

We are still keen to sign up volunteers for our flagship Moseley School Project which will be launched in the Autumn school term (details below). In addition, some of you have already worked with schools in Birmingham through Education Business Links and other organisations.  If you are keen to continue to support schools through Birmingham Future, in particular the Moseley School Project, and haven’t already signed up, please email donna.codrington@dlapiper.com.

Details of Moseley School Project:  Birmingham Future has “adopted” Moseley School, a vibrant and diverse secondary school with approximately 1,350 pupils located in the popular area of Birmingham with the same name.  Of its pupils, less than 30% obtain 5 or more C grades at GCSE.  The Adopt a School Project is a long term project through which Birmingham Future, (through its members) aims to facilitate the school in encouraging ambition, inspiring and supporting pupils to pursue careers within one of Birmingham’s many professional service sectors which is something that the governors and the school are keen to promote.

This exciting project led by Birmingham Future’s Diversity Committee, will give Future members the opportunity to help Birmingham’s children to achieve their full potential and become Birmingham’s Future.  Members will engage with pupils across all school years on a variety of activities and events which aim to;

• Increase industry knowledge through project based “apprentice” type and other events;
• Give insight into the careers available through career discussions and industry games;
• Illuminate  professional life by participation in office visits and mock meetings;
• Develop employment skills by undertaking mock interviews;
• Promote self esteem by giving presentations assisted and assessed by members; and
• Raise ambition by showing the pupils, first hand, the personal benefits of a professional career.

Thank you for your support!

Birmingham Future Successfully Develops Diversity Aware Managers

Birmingham Future’s Diversity committee hosted a well attended workshop on 29 June.

Ben Gorner, a solicitor from DLA Pipers’ employment team, explained discrimination law and took attendees through case studies to enable those current and future managers to spot potential issues, such as whether a man who is uncomfortable with being treated as the “stud of the office” potentially has a legal cause of complaint.

Ben also provided tips on how to deal with issues sensitively and appropriately. The game of “banter bingo” at the end of the session illustrated the difference of opinions in the room, and demonstrated that one person’s banter can be another’s ridicule.

The meaning of some comments was clear and acceptable, but others, such as saying to an older gentleman, “the length of time you have been here, I would expect a bit more common sense” were not.

The diversity committee hope to run similarly useful events in the future.

By Suzanne Gingles, Diversity Committee Member.

The First Annual Diversity Quiz

Thanks to Amie of Clevercherry.com for this great write up of what was the first of an annual Diversity Quiz, run by Birmingham Future’s Diversity Committee.

As a new member to Birmingham Future, I was keen to be part of the First Annual Diversity Quiz, which took place recently.  It was a great night full of great people, nice drinks, exciting food and hard questions. 

Do you know the answer?

The event was held at HBJ Gateley Wareing, one of Britain’s top Law Firms right here in Birmingham.  Once I was greeted by a Birmingham Future coordinator and given my name tag, I was taken to the quiz room.  Greeted again but with a glass of wine this time…things are definitely going well so far.  A spot of pre-quiz networking took place before the main event got started.

Some people came with their colleagues and others were designated team members.  I was one of them, and I must say I was very happy with my designated team.  A nice group of people from all different industries so needless to say we had lots to talk about.  That was until the quiz got started…”Question Number 1″…absolute silence for a moment until we all laughed and realized that this quiz wasn’t going to be as easy as we had all hoped!

Many difficult and interesting questions later – we stopped for a break.  There was a great choice of food in running with the diversity theme.  A buffet of little goodies from all over the world.  We had Samosas from India, Won Tons from China, Fish and Chips from England (of Course) and even a vast selection of desserts.  But the main point is with business cards flying everywhere, we all got to network with a range of companies until the second half began.

At this point I would like to say our self named group; The Politically Incorrect did very well, but unfortunately we were defeated by many.  But it was Team 3 who managed to score the trophy as well as a great prize for each member.  Well done guys!

Smiles All Round

Overall; an all round great night to network and meet new people.  I will definitely be attending the next event!