Dear Mr. M. R. Mohamed,
The Theoretician,
London Based Islamic Think Tank-UK of
Sri Lanka Think Tank-UK
I am writing with regards to the above research study that we have been commissioned to undertake on behalf Brent Council, to improve knowledge of its Sri Lankan community, as was hoping that I could arrange to meet with you or a colleague of yours as part of a consultation process which would comprise of a 1 hour interview. Ideally, I would be keen to meet with someone representative of the Sri Lankan Muslim community in Brent or at least familiar with the Brent context.
The research is part of an ongoing process initiated by Brent Council to develop improved knowledge, understanding, consultation and activity with all of Brent’s diverse communities. This is the second of a series of community studies being undertaken by the Council, the first of which focused on the make-up and needs of Muslim communities in Brent. The purpose of the research is to assess Sri Lankan community needs and inform Brent Council’s future engagement, partnerships and activity with the community, as well as to improve service delivery to the community. The research is being undertaken through a series of one-to-one consultations with community representatives and a series of focus groups with a broad spectrum of the Sri Lankan community in Brent. The research aims to explore:
· The demographic make-up of the Sri Lankan population in Brent
· The socio economic profile of the community and any key issues of concern related to migration, education, employment etc
· Community strengths, concerns and the capacity building needs of Sri Lankan community and voluntary organisations
· Issues and priorities for the community, including those that cut across boundaries
I am actually going to be in Brent this coming Friday 9th July - so do kindly advise if either you are able to recommend someone that you know, otherwise we could arrange an alternative date and I would be happy to meet you at a venue that is convenient for you. In the meantime, I have attached some additional background for your information.
Best Wishers;
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE*,
Director, Experts in Research & Evaluation, Organisational Development Strategic Communications, Race, Faith & Identity
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 490 7236
Mob: +44 (0) 7930 444253
Address: 7 Adam Street, London WC2N 6AA, UK
http://www.changeinstitute.co.uk/
*About Rokhsana Fiaz, Director
As the head of the Communications, Marketing and Corporate Affairs practice, Rokhsana has over fifteen years experience of undertaking research, policy development and communication campaigns aimed at accessing and creating dialogue with ‘hard to reach’ groups. A former political broadcast journalist, she is highly experienced in designing and delivering large and complex communication and social marketing campaigns.
As an advocate of community engagement, she has been involved in a number of Muslim community facing initiatives including The City Circle, Alif-Aleph UK, and the Muslim Policy Forum, all of which promote reconciling conflicts between belief and civic responsibility; community cohesion, integration and citizenship, and encouraging reflective debate within the UK Muslim community on these issues. She is a member of the UK government’s Department of Work and Pensions Ethnic Minority in Employment advisory group, the government's National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, and advises the Washington DC based think tank, Brookings Institution, on Muslims in Europe. (Ends/)
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