Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Kent Equality Cohesion Council

  • First online Holocaust Memorial Day event herald a great success

    First online Holocaust Memorial Day event herald a great success

    First online Holocaust Memorial Day event herald a great success

    Civic, community and faith partners came together to attend an online event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on Wednesday January 27th. The event was organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus in partnership with Dartford Borough Council.

    The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year was “Be the light in the Darkness”, to encourage everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities have resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during, and after genocide.

    The event featured online presentations by a range of speakers including Gerald Rose from the Catford and Bromley Synagogue, who spoke about the importance of teaching young people the history of the Holocaust. He was followed by Rabi Mati Kirschenbaum from Bromley Reform Synagogue, who talked about how the Holocaust impacted his family, whilst Fiyaz Mughal from Faith Matters emphasised the importance of inter-faith work, and told the story of the “Righteous Muslims” who saved Jewish lives during World War 2.

    Civic contributions were made by Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE the Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Roger Gough the Leader of Kent County Council, Deputy Chief Constable Tony Blaker, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Frank Martin.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “It is so imperative that we commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and learn the lessons of history. The whole ethos of our work and our partnership with Dartford Borough Council and local community and faith organisations is for us to all come together and celebrate all that binds us rather than what divides us. As only by standing together can we tackle insidious agendas and viewpoints that seek to de-stabilise our communities.

    Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy Kite MBE said, “Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of how quickly civilisation can descend into chaos and hatred. Sadly this danger is no less real today than in the past, and it is vital that we unite and stand together in building a more peaceful and tolerant world. The pandemic has shown the value of kindness, tolerance and compassion. It’s a lesson we must never forget.”

  • National Interfaith Week 2020

    National Interfaith Week 2020

    National Interfaith Week 2020

    As part of National Inter Faith Week, in the midst of a pandemic, Kent Equality Cohesion Council worked with local community and faith organisations on this special image. Faiths represented in the image include the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Sikh.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “Each year we work hard to arrange events for National Inter Faith Week working with local community and faith partners. Unfortunately due to the national lockdown this has not been possible this year. Nonetheless I wanted to mark the week somehow and the result was this image with everyone holding up a sign sharing one of the values of Inter Faith Week. I am grateful to all partners who supported us with this”

  • Online Black History Month Celebrations 2020

    Online Black History Month Celebrations 2020

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus working in partnership with the North Kent Caribbean Network delivered 3 online Black History Month celebrations across Kent covering the districts of Maidstone, Ashford, Folkestone, Margate, Gravesham and Dartford. The celebrations were part funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

    The first of the events took place across Maidstone and Ashford on 7th October and was delivered in partnership with Ashford BME Association, Black Heritage and local rapper and community activist Fennie. The second event took place on the following week on 14th October across Folkestone and Margate in partnership with Black History Month Folkestone, local artists Randolph Matthews, Lee Desai and Rev Anita McKenzie. The third and final event took place across Gravesham and Dartford on the 21st October and was delivered in partnership with the North Kent Caribbean Network.

    Special messages in support of the celebrations were given across the three events by key partners including the Chief Constable of Kent Police Alan Pughsley and Leader of Kent County Council Cllr Roger Gough amongst others.

    During the course of the events, three individual RoundTable discussions were also recorded and aired which covered topics such as the impact of Covid-19 on local communities, the significance of Black Lives Matters in Kent and the many achievements of the diverse communities across the county.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am really proud of what we have been able to achieve working in partnership with local community partners across Kent. At a time when the quest for social justice is at the forefront of many people’s minds we felt it was important to not only celebrate Black History Month but also recognise the simple fact that Black History is British History. Only by working together can we unite communities, promote cohesion, tackle extremism and fight social injustices.”

    BHM-evaluation-report
  • Windrush Community Celebrations takes place online for the first time

    Windrush Community Celebrations takes place online for the first time

    Windrush Community Celebrations takes place online for the first time

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus and the North Kent Caribbean Network for the first time ever organised a special online event in celebration of the Windrush generation. Poignantly the event took place on Windrush Day and had over 100 local community members in attendance. Civic guests also attended including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhagwara Vasudaven, KCC Leader, Mr Roger Gough, KCC Chairman Cllr Graham Gibbens, Mayor of Gravesham Cllr John Caller and Inspector Craig West from Kent Police.

    The event organisers Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council and the Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network, Michelle Bramble felt this year’s celebrations were more important than ever in the midst of the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests as well as the devastating impact Covid -19 has had on communities from a BAME background.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC commented, “We were incredibly humbled and proud to be able to host the first ever online Windrush celebrations in recognition of the enormously positive contributions made by the Windrush generation and their decedents in the UK. Despite not being able to celebrate in person, we were no less enthused to celebrate with local members of the community and civic guests online. To say we are living in tumultuous times would be something of a painful understatement however, we wanted to champion the Windrush generations and celebrate their achievements especially when history has tended to overlook this. As such, we felt it imperative to take this valuable opportunity to celebrate in the midst of the impact of Covid – 19 which has hit BAME communities disproportionately higher. With the ongoing protests around Black Lives Matter and the widely reported recognition of systemic racism still prevalent in 2020 we will continue to celebrate and champion diversity until true equality is achieved.”

  • Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Tributes have poured in from around the world for Makhan Singh Johal, one of the most well-respected and prominent figures in the Sikh community in Gravesend. He sadly passed away at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer.

    Makhan arrived in Gravesend in 1975 and along with running a number of local successful businesses, he was best known for his contribution to the local arts and sports scene gaining worldwide recognition. During the course of his prolific singing career, spanning over 35 years, he performed with Jugnu Bhangra Group, Rooh Punjab Dee and Four by Four Bhangra at events around the world, entertaining thousands with his powerful voice and onstage personality.

    Makhan was also well known for the positive contribution he made to the Guru Nanak Kabbadi Club where he played the Punjabi sport for many years both in the UK and abroad. In latter years he was an active member of management for the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend where he served the community selflessly for many years. Makhan also focused his energy on supporting the underprivileged in Punjab, North India where he was born. This included regular free eye camps and drop in sessions around cancer awareness as well as creating a free gym and boxing club which supported females across all ages.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Makhan Singh Johal, someone who I had the honour of knowing for many years and who was an avid supporter of our work. He was a much loved figure who was very well known within the Sikh community not just in the UK but around the world. This is underlined by the fact that since his passing tributes have poured in globally from artists within the Punjabi music industry to members of the local community whose hearts he touched. He will be dearly missed by the community but we will find solace in the fact that his legacy lives on in his family and within the cultural and sports scene in Gravesham to which he contributed so greatly to.”

  • Diverse communities celebrate Commonwealth Day in Gravesham

    Diverse communities celebrate Commonwealth Day in Gravesham

    Diverse communities celebrate Commonwealth Day in Gravesham

    A special community event took place in Gravesham at Saint Andrew’s Arts Centre on Tuesday 10th March to celebrate the Commonwealth and the positive contribution made in the borough by local residents with links to Commonwealth countries. This event was part of Commonwealth Day celebrations which took place around the globe.

    The event was organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Cohesion Plus and the North Kent Caribbean Network. The evening saw performances from Phase 5 Steel Band and the GTown Collective, a group of young grime rappers from the borough. Speakers included Gurvinder Sandher from the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who spoke about the key role that the Commonwealth has played in British history including the positive contribution made by soldiers during the two World Wars. Michelle Bramble, the Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network spoke about the Windrush generation and how their contribution towards the rebuilding of the UK after the Second World War should never be forgotten.

    Furthermore, a special award of recognition was presented to Alberta Theresa Jaggon, the widow of Cllr Joseph Jaggon a former Mayor of Gravesham. The award recognised both Mr and Mrs Jaggon’s contributions to the promotion of positive community relations in the borough over the many years.

    Guests included the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Gurdip Bungar, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargwara Vasudaven, Chairman of the Kent County Council Cllr Ann Allen, Cllr John Burden Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, Inspector Craig West from Kent Police and Manpreet Dhaliwal the President of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “In today’s social climate I believe it is vital to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the vast diversity of Gravesham as well as listen to the many stories of those individuals who made their way to the UK from Commonwealth countries like Jamaica and India in the 1940’s. Those stories tell of great challenges and struggles and serve as a valuable foundation to the positive community relations we enjoy today.”

    Michelle Bramble, Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network commented, “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who attended this event, especially the communities that hail from the many Commonwealth countries. Events like this are important, where different generations come together to remember and celebrate our shared histories.”

  • Tree planting ceremony to commemorate the founder of the Sikh faith

    Tree planting ceremony to commemorate the founder of the Sikh faith

    Tree Planting

    Dartford Borough Council in partnership with the Kent Equality Cohesion Council and the Dartford Guru Hargobind Gurdwara held a special tree planting ceremony in Central Park to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh faith. The event took place on Saturday 8th February and the initiative was led by Cllr Avtar Sandhu MBE.

    The event was attended by various community and faith partners including Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite, Mayor of Dartford Cllr Roger Perfitt, KCC Chair Cllr Ann Allen, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council Gurvinder Sandher and Co-Ordinator Officer from the Indian High Commission Varinder Khera.

    The ceremony was a culmination of a week of activity in Dartford including the hosting a special exhibition on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji which was displayed in the Peter Blake Gallery in Dartford Library. The exhibition was created by the Indian High Commission and has toured extensively around the UK and Europe.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “This was a great initiative led by Cllr Sandhu and colleagues from Dartford Borough Council. We hope the tree will live to grow healthy and strong and serve as a symbol of the importance of communities in Dartford coming together to celebrate all that binds us. This is in line with the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was a great advocate of breaking down religious and social barriers, something that is just as important now as it was then.”

    Cllr Avtar Sandhu MBE commented, “It was amazing to see so many people visit the exhibition over the last week and also attend the tree planting ceremony. We are very grateful for the support provided by the Indian High Commission in making this possible. The Sikh community in Dartford have a long and proud tradition and this exhibition underlines the values and ethos of the Sikh faith.”

  • Dartford Community comes together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

    Dartford Community comes together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

    Communities and faith groups from Dartford came together on Monday 27th January to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day which also marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. The event was organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and saw a number of people attend including Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy Kite, The Worshipful Mayor of Dartford Cllr Roger Perfitt and Chairman of Kent County Council Cllr Ann Allen.

    Attendees heard from a range of speakers including Gurvinder Sandher from the Kent Equality Cohesion Council who spoke about the importance of learning lessons from history. Gerald Rose from the Catford and Bromley Synagogue talked about the theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, ‘Standing Together’ and Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite spoke about his recent experience visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp. The event concluded with an interfaith prayer which was led by Reverend Cantor David Rome.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am very grateful to everyone who made the time to attend this event. It is imperative that we continue to come together regardless of background, faith and ethnicity to remember the wrong doings of the past and learn from them. It is vital that the same mistakes do not repeat themselves. Tragically, some lessons have to be repeatedly learnt with genocides still occurring to this day, most recently in Darfur. The atrocities that took place in Auschwitz, Bosnia and Rwanda are no less horrific now than they were back then and we must never forget them. ”

    Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy Kite said, “Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of how quickly civilisation can descend into chaos and hatred. Sadly this prospect is no less real in 2020 than in the 1930s and 40s. We need to unite and demonstrate that we stand together in building a more peaceful and tolerant world.”

  • Community comes together to celebrate Black History Month

    Community comes together to celebrate Black History Month

    Black History Month celebrations climaxed in the borough with a special event which was arranged by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cohesion Plus and the North Kent Caribbean Network in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council. Some 200 attended the event in the Council Chamber which celebrated the significant and positive contribution made by those of Caribbean descent.

    Guests included the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Gurdip Bungar, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhagwara Vasudaven and Chairman of the KCC Cllr Ann Allen. Talks were also given by Lennox Rogers from local charity Refocus who spoke about his experience with gang violence and his eventual rehabilitation which led to the publishing of his new book ‘Breaking Better’. Rethink Sahayak spoke about issues of mental health within the black communities and the support they can provide. There were also performances by the Taboo Dance Company and rap/poet D-Wayne.

    Special awards were presented during the evening recognising the many achievements and contributions to the borough by local entrepreneurs, athletes, business owners and community workers. Winners included Commonwealth Games 2018 Bronze medallist Chev Townsend for his ground-breaking achievement in boxing, youth volunteer Darius Farrell, entrepreneur Steve Boss and former gang member / youth worker Lennox Rodgers.

    A special award for services to communities’ was presented to Patricia Fenton for her outstanding service with Metropolitan Police supporting victims of crime which included being a Family Liaison Officer to the family of Steven Lawrence in the aftermath of his murder.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “There have been a number of events taking place around Gravesham to celebrate Black History Month and I was particularly proud of what we were able to achieve with very limited resources. It is important that we use events like Black History Month to celebrate what binds us together as communities and to remember the past struggles and the sacrifices that the generations before us made. A particular highlight for me was the recognition of community champions who are often unsung but make a positive contribution within our local communities.”

  • Dartford Festival of Light 2019

    Dartford Festival of Light 2019

    The 11th Dartford Festival of Light returned to the borough on Friday 18th October. The festival was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Cohesion Plus. The aim of the festival was to celebrate what binds the communities together in Dartford through the values of respect, excellence, friendship and equality.

    Some 2,000 people attended the festival and enjoyed the sights and sounds as musical performances took place on One Bell Corner. The lantern parade was made up 8 local schools, members of the community and performers which was led by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Rosanna Currans, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Kelvin Holford and KCC Chairman Cllr Ann Allen.

    The parade departed from One Bell Corner, went via Hythe Street and Suffolk Road into the Orchards Shopping Centre, left out on to the High Street and then turned right at the Holy Trinity Church heading back towards Central Park. The festival climaxed with a spectacular free fireworks display finale.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, “At this moment in time when our nation is so divided it was so heart-warming to see Dartford come together as one and celebrate our annual Festival of Light. I always say that there is more that unites us than divides us and this event is a great of example of the positive impact the arts can have in bringing people together, young or old, faith or no faith and urban or rural. I am very proud of our positive working relationship with Dartford Borough Council and this has allowed the event to grow from strength to strength.”