A pioneering UK charity that works to address inequality amongst British Pakistanis aims to put the plight of ethnic minorities in Britain on the global stage.
Leading experts are set to gather to discuss the economic and social crisis of British Pakistanis in Islamabad on 11th June. The event is to mark Bradford-based QED Foundation’s 25th anniversary.
Representatives from major organisations including UNICEF, Hashoo Foundation, the Ministry of Planning Commission, the Pakistan Alliance for Girls’ Education, the Imran Khan Foundation and Pakistan Youth Foundation are just some of the 60 guests expected to attend.
The discussion will result in recommendations for international organisations, charities and third sector organisations on how to improve British Pakistanis future.
The founder of QED, CEO Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, will address the international audience on QED’s award-winning work over the last quarter of a century, including ground-breaking campaigns and education and employment initiatives.
As well as initiatives across the UK, from dealing with radicalisation on university campuses to advising government on race diversity, QED was the first UK organisation to develop pre-emptive health and education schemes in Pakistan, to address the causes of poverty and promote integration before immigrants arrive in the UK.
Dr Ali said: “Our work has focussed on the importance of integration at a grass roots level through English language teaching but also influencing government policy. There are 1.2 million British Pakistanis in the UK today. Across the UK, 22% of the population live in homes where income is less than half the national average. For minorities including Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, it is up to 60%. It’s crucial this poverty gap is addressed and we create a positive road map going forward for the next 25 years.”
Poor levels of skills, health inequalities, unfair discrimination, educational under-achievement and high unemployment are factors behind disadvantage.
Pakistanis first began migrating to Britain in the early 1950s, many to work in the mills in the industrial north. Today, there are third and fourth generations of British Pakistanis in the UK.
Dr Ali said: “We want to open hearts and minds to this plight and invite the world to take part in helping to find solutions for Britain. Prosperity and hope are vital to creating a cohesive and harmonious society.”
QED Foundation was started by Mohammed Ali in 1990, QED-UK tackles grass-root problems delivering bespoke services in health, education and employment to disadvantaged sections of Britain’s 8 million ethnic minorities. It does this while engaging, influencing and advocating on the wider issues affecting ethnic minorities.
QED’s influence is felt from the streets of the UK, to the Houses of Parliament, the European Union, and Pakistan. Its national reputation as a leading agency for change has been built over 25 years. QED continues to pioneer new services in education, training, employment and health.
Their main mission is to support the economic and social integration of new and settled ethnic minority groups in the country of UK and all over Europe