Press Release - 22 April 2005

Bradford Charity Spreads Word in House of Lords

From left to right: Manzoor Bahadur (Universal Clothing), Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Adeeba Malik MBE (Deputy Chief Executive, QED-UK), Mike Hammond (Head of CSR, Bradford & Bingley plc), Dr Mohammed Ali MBE (Chief Executive, QED-UK)

Bradford-based charity QED-UK has celebrated its growing political influence by attracting leading decision makers to a high-profile event at the House of Lords.

The milestone occasion - which was hosted by the first Muslim life peer, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham - marked a coming of age for an organisation set up fifteen years ago with the aim of tackling the economic and social disadvantages facing many of the UK's South Asian communities.

Chief executive Mohammed Ali OBE told guests that one of the three challenges facing QED-UK remained communicating the diversity of the UK's ethnic minority populations to policy makers. 'Over the past 20 years, one-size-fits-all solutions may have contributed to increased inequalities for some of these groups,' he explained.

Dr Ali said that QED-UK was also working to help the integration of second- and third-generation Asian community members who believed that they were not part of mainstream society. It also aimed to tackle the misconceptions about ethnic minorities held by some mainstream organisations in the public and private sectors and elsewhere.

It would grasp opportunities to encourage parental and community involvement in education; economic and ultimately social integration of South Asians; and the empowerment of community and faith groups. It was also involved in developing the leadership skills of individual members and helping managers to communicate more effectively with ethnic minorities.

The event was sponsored by Bradford and Bingley plc, which works closely with QED-UK on a variety of initiatives including cultural awareness training for its management team and advertising campaigns aimed at South Asian communities.

'QED-UK is one of the most professional organisations that we work with,' said chief executive Steve Crawshaw. 'I have found it to be a good partner and an excellent source of knowledge and advice.'

For more information, contact: Dr Mohammed Ali OBE on 01274 483267 Mobile: 0781 201 0918 Email: m.ali@qed-uk.org