MISSION STATEMENT FOR BEMIS:

As a strategic national infrastructure organisation, BEMIS aims to empower the diverse Ethnic Minority third sector. We are committed to promoting inclusion, democratic active citizenship, recognition of diversity, human rights education, and wider representation, as well as effecting a proactive role in maintaining and enhancing pathways to influence government policy in regards to equality and human rights at local, Scottish, UK and EU levels.

VISION FOR BEMIS:

Our vision is of a Scotland that is Equal, Inclusive, and Responsive: A society where people from the diverse communities are valued, treated with dignity and respect, have equal citizenship, opportunities and quality of life, and who actively participate in civic society.

BEMIS, within the perspective of our vision, adopts, deploys and utilizes the following core principles in our strategy and operational planning, development and delivery:

BEMIS…

  • Recognizes and respect the diversity of diversity in all it does.
  • Seeks to foster a sense of community within, and solidarity between, minority groups.
  • Ensures that its policies and actions are clear, coherent, and consistent, and apply equally to all.
  • Embraces all without either homogenizing difference or entrenching ethnic division.
  • Does not favour any group over any other, or to entrench any racist doctrine or ethnic hierarchy.
  • Avoids any policy or action which gives offence to any stake-holders.
  • Is open to the fluidity of individuals’ self-description and to the fluidity of ethnic and other related classifications.
  • Does not seek or purport to speak on behalf of minority communities either individually or collectively, but assist them to speak for themselves.
  • Utilises consultative and inclusive approaches to facilitate effective community engagement to inform and influence local and national policies.
  • Ensures that its Board and staff is reflective of the diverse communities in Scotland.

Strategic Aims And Objectives

All of BEMIS’ strategic, planning and operational contexts will be based on a partnership approach to all equality strands promoting interaction and cooperation at all levels.

The following role and remit constitute a reflection of our vision, strategic and operational principles:

BEMIS will have three overarching strategic aims.

Overarching Strategic Objectives of BEMIS

  1. To empower and build the capacity of minority formal and informal community organisations.
    • BEMIS is proactive in initiating focused capacity building programs and structures that meet the need of the sector, and the impact has been acknowledged at various levels especially within the framework of empowering these organisations and the cascading strategy deployed within these programs and initiatives. However, we acknowledge that the need for capacity building among the ethnic minority voluntary sector and communities is not only about providing training and bridging the skill gaps, but also about enabling and involving these communities in the wider decision making processes on a local and national level. Through sharing information, promoting good practice, networking effectively with the wider voluntary sector and other agencies, the ethnic minority voluntary sector will be able to develop its own capacity building initiatives as well as better support the communities these organization/agencies represent. In addition, capacity building for the ethnic minority voluntary sector should be transferred to involve the communities themselves and this is one of the priorities BEMIS has been promoting and supporting. BEMIS will continue to work in partnership with educational bodies, learning organizations, funders and other stakeholders, as well as the ethnic minorities voluntary sector especially grassroots groups /organizations, to identify and facilitate capacity building training and development programs across Scotland. BEMIS will continue to work in partnership with educational bodies, learning organizations, funders and other stakeholders as well as the ethnic minorities voluntary sector especially grassroots groups / organizations, to identify and facilitate capacity building training and development programs across Scotland.
  2. To be a key player and proactive stakeholder in leading on lobbying and influencing policy development at all levels in relation to Ethnic Minorities and the Race Equality agenda in Scotland (strategic partnership role to the Government).
    • BEMIS has been over the last years proactive in promoting and empowering a political voice for the diverse EM voluntary sector through working directly with them and in partnership with the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, funding bodies, wider voluntary sector and any other partners. However, due to various factors such approach remained restricted within a responsive rather than a proactive framework approach. Following on the HMIE report and further feedback with the Scottish government, it is acknowledged that BEMIS has a strong impact of the Scottish voluntary sector scene and this has to be utilised in ensuring government objectives and efforts are supported more effectively and efficiently within a strategic partnership role with the Scottish government. This is a role that has to be enhanced and structured strategically with the government. However, this will have to be deployed effectively to ensure that mutual interests of both the government and the diverse EM voluntary sector and communities are paired within a national unified aim that engulfs the government’s five strategic objectives.
  3. To help develop, promote & progress inclusive society and democratic active citizenship for all in a multicultural Scotland at Scottish, UK and European levels. In addition, be pro-active in supporting and promoting Democracy & Human Rights Education in Scotland ensuring inclusive active citizenship roles for the diverse Ethnic Minority communities.
    • Recent developments in Scotland, in relation to equality and priorities have set up new operational frameworks for all equality groups including BEMIS. And as an umbrella organisation, the responsibilities and role of BEMIS in this context  becomes vital in its endeavour to meet these challenges. The role that BEMIS has played over the last few years as an intermediary umbrella organisation has successfully enabled various ethnic minorities groups/communities to have a voice and secure capacity building and access to engagement with various initiatives. This has also informed to the understanding of key stakeholders and decision/policy makers and, as such, impacted positively on development in Scotland. However, the need for a more focused inter-agency work places BEMIS in a unique role where we can effect a very positive impact in promoting equality and diversity in Scotland while ensuring a voice in the European setting where good practice and developments in Scotland can be promoted, shared and enhanced.