The National Initiative for Leadership and Empowerment (NILE) will be launched on Saturday 22nd March 2014. The group’s aim is to specifically tackle the issues of race and race equality across the criminal justice system. The event will take place in Newbold Revel, Rugby at a national symposium for Criminal Justice Professionals.
Bevan Powell, Chair of NILE said, “All too often race equality issues within the Criminal Justice System are viewed and tackled in silos, As an example, the police service tackles its issues in isolation to prisons or probation”. Mr Powell stated, “NILE presents an opportunity to address issues of race relations in a more holistic fashion, driving transformation across the CJS in a more joined up approach”.
Dr. Richard Stone said, “The NILE Group is a fabulous example of the positive contribution of diversity to the well being of everyone who lives in this country no matter from what background”.
The NILE Group, is a cross consortium comprising of the following Criminal Justice System Black and Ethnic Minority Staff Networks; National Black Police Association (NBPA), RESPECT (Prisons) and Association of Black Probation Staff (ABPO). It has been established to ensure a cross CJS approach to the issues of race race equality, to ensure fair and effective Criminal Justice Services to all diverse communities.
The symposium will be an opportunity for CJS professionals to come together to discuss the extent to which progress has been made in the area of race equality for Black and Minority Ethnic Staff working in the Criminal Justice System and the impact on service delivery and community engagement.
The key note address will be given by Dr. Richard Stone OBE, a panel member of the Macpherson Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Dr. Stone will discuss issues raised from his recently published book into Hidden Stories of the Lawrence Inquiry, and will share his thoughts on recent revelations from the Ellison review into allegations of police corruption in the original investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
The Launch of the NILE Group coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. At the launch, the NILE Group and its partners, Dr. Richard Stone OBE, Race on the Agenda (ROTA) and JUST West Yorkshire will announce the start of their public campaign to ensure that the UK Government ratifies Article 14 of the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD). This will provide a complaints mechanism for victims and racial discrimination and consistency with existing treaties on disability and gender currently ratified by the UK Government.
Final NILE Launch Press Release
Notes to Editors
NILE is an acronym for the ‘National Initiative for Leadership and Empowerment’, and the principal aims of The NILE Group are to:
‘Empower Black/BAME staff networks, Black/BAME employees and Black/BAME communities in their dealings with Criminal Justice agencies
- Equip Black/BAME networks, Black/BAME employees and Black/BAME communities to be knowledgeable and confident when dealing with Criminal Justice agencies
- Enable Black/BAME staff networks, Black/BAME employees and Black/BAME communities to hold Criminal Justice agencies to account
- Enhance efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, advance racial equality and to foster good relations between people of different racial origins’
The launch and development of the NILE Group will provide the means to coordinate and improve efforts to bring about much needed changes in the way the CJS treats Black/BAME staff and the communities they come from.
Press Contact Tracy Gittens; Email: Tracy.Gittens@met.police.uk; Mobile: 07824 476774