Issue 393 June 1, 2018
Five years ago, the Labour Party, occupying the Opposition benches then, appointed the then MP Dr Rajen Prasad, as its Spokesperson for Social Inclusion.
In an article written for us (March 1, 2013), he had said that among the issues to be raised was the issues that prevent migrants from feeling that they are a part of the New Zealand society.
“The creation of this role is driven by Labour’s belief that we all do much better when no one falls too far behind and the economy works for everyone,” he had said.
Positive change
Dr Prasad believes that Social Inclusion policies are a shift away from a sticking-plaster approach to the needs of the most vulnerable to one that produces long-term positive change. Social inclusion starts with the experiences, aspirations and expectations of citizens in the design of programmes that lead lasting change.
Where a conservative approach is punitive towards those who are excluded from full participation in society, we ask, “What is preventing them from full participation and access to the gifts our communities can bestow on all of us?”
Ministerial Forum
Those questions were raised at the ‘Safer Ethnic Communities Ministerial Forum’ held under the auspices of the Ethnic Communities Ministry, Justice Ministry and the New Zealand Police on May 26, 2018 in Auckland. We have carried two substantial reports on the Forum in this issue.
In their report to the Ministry of Social Development in 2007, Strategy and Policy Advisors David Bromell and Marion Hyland had said that the government’s vision was “An inclusive New Zealand where all people enjoy opportunity to fulfil their potential, prosper and participate in the social, economic, political and cultural life of their communities and nation.”
The current government is vociferous about Social Inclusion and has promised to act over the next two years to fulfill its promises.
We will wait and watch.
