Sandwell Conference - Fighting Caste Discrimination in the UK
CasteWatchUK held its second conference in Sandwell, West Midlands under the theme of Fighting Caste Discrimination in UK. The Conference was well attended by academics, politicians, community leaders, educational institutions, statutory organisations and many individuals from London, Bedford, Wales, Wolverhampton, Oxford, Derby, Coventry and Birmingham.
This conference set the agenda that CasteWatchUK has been striving to pursue in UK. During the panel discussion, there was agreement that caste discrimination is practised in UK. It was reprehensible and totally unacceptable to people who find themselves as victims and the need for the host community to support initiatives to root Caste based discrimination from British Society. Mr Rob Marris MP from Wolverhampton, Mr Adrian Bailey MP is the key speakers. Professor Eleanor Nesbit (Warwick University), Professor Sushrut Jadhav (University of London), Dr Nicolas Jaoul (Paris University) were amongst the eminent speakers from the academic arena.
The Conference also took the opportunity to honour Ms Santosh Dass, a member of the charity’s executive committee, who had been awarded MBE in the Queen’s Honour List in June 2007 for her work at the Department of Health.
The Sandwell conference was held on Sunday, 15th July 2007, at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3DE.
| 10.00- 10.30 |
Pre-Conference Registration |
|---|---|
| 10.30- 10.35 |
Welcome by Mr Davinder Prasad, General Secretary CasteWatchUK |
| 10.35- 10.45 |
Chairman’s Address by Mr Pashori Lal, Chairman CasteWatchUK |
| 10.45- 11.00 |
Caste and Community relations by Mr David Webb, President, Rotary Club, Handsworth, Birmingham & Ex-chairman, Community Relations Council, Birmingham |
| 11.00- 11.15 |
Caste & British Legislation by Mr Adrian Bailey MP, West Bromwich West |
| 11.15- 11.30 |
Caste & Globalisation by Mr Rob Marris MP, Wolverhampton South West and Trustee of Dalit Solidarity Network |
| 11.30- 11.55 |
Caste Discrimination and the Challenge of Multiculturalism by Dr Nicolas Jaoul Affiliate, Researcher South Asian Centre, University of Paris |
| 11.55- 12.20 |
Caste dynamics in Indian Diaspora in the UK by Dr Eleanor Nesbitt Reader in Religions and Education, University of Warwick |
| 12.20- 12.35 |
Short film “ I am Dalit, How are you?” based on extracts from ‘Lesser Humans’ by Stalin K. (Drishti Media Collective, Navsarjan Trust). ‘Resilient Rhythms’ by Gopal Menon (Other Media Communications).and supported by International Dalit Solidarity Network |
| 12.35- 12.50 |
Caste Bullying in School testimonial by Mr Balbir Chauhan, Community Psychiatric Nurse |
| 12.50- 01.40 |
Lunch Break |
| 01.40- 01.45 |
Welcome Back by Ms Rena Prasad, BBC Asian Network |
| 01.45- 02.00 |
Caste discrimination in a workplace testimonial by Mr Inderjit Kumar, Manager Sahara Project |
| 02.00- 02.30 |
Caste Psychology by Dr Sushrut Jadhav Senior Lecturer Cross-Cultural Psychiatry, University College London |
| 03.00- 03.25 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
| 03.25- 04.40 |
Panel Discussion Chair: Ken Hunt, Journalist, Broadcaster and Trustee CasteWatchUK Mr Chanan Chahal, President of Federation of Ambedkarite & Buddhist Organisations, UK; Mr Gian Chand Ghaiwal, General Secretary, Indian Overseas Congress & Press Secretary Central Valmik Sabha International (UK); Mr Ravi Sahota – Chairman, Touchstone Housing & Church Leader; Sat Pal Muman, Vice Chair CasteWatchUK. |
| 04.40- 05.00 |
Conference Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks by Mr Pashori Lal, Chairman CasteWatchUK |
| 05.00- 05.30 |
Close and Networking |
