What is Equanomics UK?

Activities 2009/2010 �…and follow up required

Equanomics UK is a 21st century initiative to transition from poverty to equality, from economicdisadvantage to parity. We project a contemporary analysis for today's fight against structural inequality. Distinct fromcohesion and diversity, Equanomics sets forth a positive framework for full racial equality in social, economic,educational, and political categories. Equanomics UK is not about creating a single voice; it is about enabling andempowering a diversity of voices to influence policy.

Equanomics is an analysis, providing research and public policy analysis that objectively measures thestructural inequalities (and progress toward equality) in the UK, so an 'Equanomics' analysis becomes a pre-requisiteto policymaking that includes the voices of disadvantaged communities.

Equanomics is an organisation, aspiring to be the foremost third sector organisation addressing race equalityin the UK from an economic perspective. Equanomics is a movement, the "new language" for today'smovement for racial equality and economic justice - i.e., the unfinished business. Equanomics is a Vision, toachieve genuine race equality and economic justice in our lifetime by reconnecting economically and politicallydisenfranchised communities across the UK.

A Manifesto for Race Equality

As a run up to the May 2010 elections, Equanomics UK seized an ideal opportunity to put a race equality programmeof action for all prospective candidates and for the new government. We collaborated with over 40 UK race equalityorganisations and put together "The Price of Race Inequality - the Black Manifesto.' The Manifesto included 15chapters on topics such as the Economy and banking, Poverty, Employment, Civil Liberties and Equality Legislation,Education, Housing, Health Criminal Justice and Immigration.

Equanomics UK organised and supported hustings meetings in 9 cities with prospective candidates and to educate andorganise an informed Black and Minority Ethnic community vote, involving over 3000 people. Currently we are workingwith the coalition to advise and monitor the new government on all aspects of race equality and the implementation ofthe Manifesto programme.

To take this coalition forward we will need funds for a co-ordinator and policy officer.

Research on Poverty and Ethnicity

Equanomics UK partnered with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), The Roots Research Centre and the Centre forLocal Policy Studies (CLPS), Edge Hill University, on a consultation focusing on the issue of poverty and how it is shapedby ethnicity. We focused on the White British, Bangladeshi and Somali communities, within the boroughs of Haringeyand Tower Hamlets. The research findings will be integrated into the JRF's wider strategy and final report tackling poverty,and disseminated to the relevant government, advisory and third sector bodies.

We are now seeking resources to offer further advice and help on the issues which arose (e.g. on employment, housingand health needs and civic participation).

Consultation Roundtables: Institutional Racism, the Equalities Bill, Bank Reform

Equanomics UK's approach is to enable discussion in BME communities on matters that affect them and then supportfollow up work they identify. In 2009/2010 we conducted a series of 'roundtables' in 10 cities in the UK on two themes ofInstitutional Racism and what it meant, how it was manifest and what we could do about it and the Equality Bill(now an Act). As a result of the Institutional Racism discussions, we produced a special edition of the Equanomics Indexwhich carried articles on a range of areas concerned with Institutional Racism. On the Equality Bill, we produced briefingsand position papers which were sent to Government to influence the final shape of the Act.

For 2010 /2011 we wish to expand our bank reform campaign. Many of our members and contacts live in the pooresthousing and experience the highest poverty rates (25% of White children, 56% of African children, 60% of Pakistani and

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72% of Bangladeshi children live in poverty in the UK). The banking and financial crisis has put some of the poorer peoplein the UK at greater risk of losing housing and jobs. Poorer people find it harder to access banking services, get loansand are charged extortionate and unpredictable interest rates.

We are campaigning for a Community Re-investment Act for the UK mandating banks to invest in the economic andeducational advancement of Black and Minority Ethnic and poor communities. If £850 billion has gone into bailing outthe banks from taxpayers money we think its time they gave something back to communities.

Equanomics UK is part of the 'Better Banking Campaign' and will need resources to conduct and co-ordinate thediscussions and campaign.

The Equanomics UK Index

The Equanomics Index is a periodic publication on the position of Black and Minority Ethnic communities in the UK, andnews on initiatives and programmes. The first edition focused on the changing face of race equality as Barack Obamaran for president and on a range of issues of inequality, and the second edition on Institutional Racism and the EqualitiesBill in the UK. The Equanomics Index is proving to be an invaluable tool for activists and community organisationadvocacy. Over 10,000 copies of the first edition were distributed throughout the UK, and the second edition (due tocosts) has been distributed as an online publication.

In order to take this forward we need resources for publication, marketing, co-ordination and editing.

'Mind Your Business' Workshops for Young People

The aim of these workshops is to equip young people with financial intelligence and enable them to manage their moneyeffectively; make ethical spending choices; learn how to earn money and create economic well being. The first one ofthese was held in October 2009 in the east end of London and we are now developing plans based on the evaluation fora series in 2010/2011. We are in discussions with the Citizens Advice Bureau to work in partnership with us on these.

This practical programme for young people will need resourcing to empower young people to organise the workshopsthemselves.

Presentations

This year we have given 30 talks and presentations at universities, Government departments, for NGOs and for the privatesector including one in Australia (Murdoch University) and the US (New York for a consortium of business leaders). Thesehave the benefit of giving currency to the language and thinking of Equanomics - and they can raise small amounts ofmoney for our other programmes.

Volunteer programme

Equanomics UK depends on volunteers and we have run a volunteers training programme this year complete with a'graduation' ceremony where 15 volunteers were congratulated and received certificates from local celebrities. Thesevolunteers help us organise events and programmes.

Equanomics UK is indeed a new analysis for a new movement for racial equality andeconomic justice:

We need a new and different kind of politics: A variation in our approach that remainstrue to our principles. A new way that does not deny our roots yet is a new radar, a freshangle, a new paradigm. A coalition strategy we believe will best advance our work forchange, and equality for our children.

Karen Chouhan, founder member

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