Khat ban: What next?

The UK government’s decision to ban the mild stimulant khat seems a poor choice. This decision, without doubt, is more political than rational. In any case, the likely outcomes are frightening.

Parent-Teacher Collaboration: In It Together

Over the last three to five years, Bristol schools have taken productive steps to improve the engagement of parents although they ought to do more if they are to enable pupils remove hurdles to their advancement. The current engagement strategies, for example, should be looked at thoroughly and further developed to make schools be more democratically governed, but equally more responsive to the diverse needs of the local community.

More than a bus pass is needed to secure employment

(BSMG – Liban Obsiye) Most asylum seekers in the UK are generally happy to receive the right to remain and … More

The housing crisis should make us all concerned – seriously though

The housing crisis has had a devastating impact on us all. Even the comfortably housed can be homeless if the slightest thing goes wrong.With rocketing prices and high unemployment, a new policy direction must be taken to tackle the socially crippling British housing problem.

Now for the hard part Mr. President

If president Obama to become a transformative leader that leaves a lasting mark on American history, he should rise to the many challenges ahead.

Who can create the Galloway effect in the next general election: Labour?

Diversity and community participation can provide real opportunities for political parties not only to reflect the electorate but revitalise British politics too.

Educational inequalities will deepen with apprentice style hiring and firing policies in schools

If the Government is committed to tackling educational inequalities in our schools, why the Education Secretary Michael Gove made recruitment of good teachers for inner city schools even harder than it already is?

The investment climate is not yet right for foreign investors to gamble on Somalia

Investing in a conflict zone like Somalia can be suicidal for global businesses even if the rate of return for their faith is higher. There is the need to worry about Corporate Social Responsibility, staff security, eruption of spontaneous violence, poor infrastructure and no legal recourse if things go wrong. Moreover, in the absence of widely available opportunities and political voice, together with corrupted leaders that embezzled seven out of every ten dollars they received according to a UN report published in July and strong presence of Al-Shabaab, people have come to rely on their tribes for security, protection and welfare. As a result, it would be very hard for both local and foreign investors to just set up a business in a certain region, bring their chosen staff and get on with their business without employing local tribes men in key posts even if they lack the qualifications and experience. Where they do decide to employ locals, investors may have to make enormous investment in the education and training which can deter even those with the deepest pockets.

Better public engagement is increasing trust in local policing in Bristol

Although many ethnic residents in Easton and St Pauls feel that the police are biased, if not totally still racist, and victimise communities in the area, the majority of residents who live and socialise in Easton feel happier not because of the greater police presence, but because of the high visibility policing in the area which has resulted a reduction in crime rate. In addition, the Neighbourhood Partnership structures have made the police to be more accountable to the local residents by regularly attending not only the Neighbourhood Partnership/Forum meetings but relevant local meetings too – including the Stapleton Road Working Group and Somali Forum meetings, many a list – to explain policing strategies, share ideas, and discuss challenges and future plans while answering questions from members of the diverse local communities. However, better Neighbourhood policing, in any given area, relies on the level of community participation and engagement. Therefore, the selection of issues that is top of the list of community concern such as stop and search policies, heavy handedness and victimisation, amongst many, should be taken seriously and addressed appropriately both strategically and on the ground level.