Press Release - 18 June 2004

"One size doesn't fit all", says QED's Mohammed Ali OBE

Government and public bodies now recognise that ethnic diversity cannot be best served by 'one-size-fits-all' strategies, Mohammed Ali OBE (founder and Director of Bradford-based charity QED) told guests at the charity's Fourteenth Annual Review, held on Friday 18 June at the Hanover International Hotel.

The guest speakers were headed by Baroness Amos, Leader of the House of Lords - who spoke at QED's first Annual Review thirteen years ago attended by just 40 people. "Which indicates how QED has grown," she remarked on Friday to an audience of 300 of QED's supporters and friends. Baroness Amos spoke on issues of world poverty and social marginalisation. Citing the AIDS/HIV epidemic, she pointed out that the human tragedy also has productivity implications for countries like Botswana, where life expectancy is predicted to fall to 27 by 2010, creating a spiral of deprivation. In the domestic context she referred to increasing division and segregation in UK society, and British Muslims' widespread perception of institutionalised Islamphobia. QED, she concluded, is not only making a 'huge difference' locally, but by developing international networks is making an impact on problems overseas.

David Anderson, Chief Executive of Job Centre Plus, said that though the UK is one of the world's most successful labour markets, not all Britons share that prosperity. Many employers still find it difficult to better engage with ethnic minorities. As somebody whose own organisation is developing solutions for this, he believed that QED's strategies are a "most acceptable" way of addressing such problems.

Sir John Harman of the Environment Agency (the world's biggest) has often collaborated with QED. He recalled a Free Fly-Fishing Event designed to address the fact that Britain's most popular recreation - angling - is perceived as an almost wholly White activity. He particularly admired the way that the event broke through the artificial conventions of 'political correctness' and promoted real relationships.

Tiku Patel of Barclay's Bank commended QED's achievements in partnership and multicultural inclusion - concerns that are very important to Barclays. He predicted continued growth for the Asian business community, and welcomed the Annual Review as a celebration of its determination and commitment. "Local communities are at the heart of all change," he said, and congratulated QED on its local, national and international achievements.

Guests received a copy of the printed Annual Review and were shown QED's new corporate video. A year of great success and achievement was rounded off by the launch of a new logo, emphasising QED's expanding influence at home and abroad.

For further details about the event please contact Mohammed Ali, OBE on 01274 483267