The search for a new generation of Somali leaders

Despite a significant Somali population in the UK of over 150,000 and a community which arrived in the UK over a century ago, Somalis are amongst the poorest, worst-educated and least-employed in Britain.  Poverty is a key issue with over 80% of Somali-speaking pupils qualifying for free school meals. Overcrowded houses mean children have nowhere to do their homework and approximately 33% of Somali children received five GCSEs (A-C) compared with 59% of Bangladeshi pupils and 78% of Nigerian ones. Furthermore, the low employment rate further exacerbates the cycle of poverty with just one in ten Somalis in full-time work.  

Therefore Operation Black Vote, funded by the European Commission, have launched a unique Civic Leadership Programme to nurture future Somali leaders. The aim of the project is to address the deficit of Somali individuals in all areas and levels of civic and public life in Tower Hamlets.

 Up to 50 dynamic individuals of Somali heritage aged 18 years upwards who live or work in Tower Hamlets will be selected. The initiative will focus on giving participants firsthand knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of School Governors, Councillors, Trustees and members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team. The aim is that upon completion, this leadership programme will equip and motivate participants to engage in public life.
 
Participants will also be encouraged to become Community Ambassadors, explaining and promoting the benefits of civic engagement and encouraging others to also become involved in community affairs.
 
Francine Fernandes, OBV’s Deputy Director said,

"The Somali community have contributed and been part of British society since the 1800s. This programme provides a platform to nurture this talent for the benefit of all communities and enable participants to formally contribute to Tower Hamlet’s political and civic landscape."
 

Councillor Omar Ali made political history less than six months ago by becoming the first British Somali councillor in Wales. He graduated from one of OBV’s Political Leadership Programmes and said,

“People are often politically conscious, but are not always aware of how to translate that into political or civic action. OBV gave me a better understanding of how the democratic process worked and I hope that my election inspires others to get involved too.”

The Civic Leadership Programme was originally run in Lewisham in 2010-11 and more than 50% of participants have since been appointed to public positions and  become more active in their local communities with several graduates becoming school governors and one graduate becoming the Chair of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel.

The deadline is fast approaching, therefore if you are interested in making a difference to your community, apply today.

OBV Staff Writer