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ANDREW DISMORE MP MEETS AFRICAN COMMUNITY
Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, met with Hendon’s African Heritage Community on 20th July, to discuss the Government’s new International Development White Paper policy statement.
Mr Dismore, speaking on the White Paper, said that it recognised the importance of good governance and rooting out corruption, including problems involving UK companies. He said it was noted that progress was needed on fair trade; and that development needed to focus on the basics – decent health care, education, water and sanitation.
After the event, Andrew Dismore MP said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity of discussing ideas with so many people from Africa, now living here. Some great ideas came from the attendees, which I am passing on to Hilary Benn MP, the International Development Secretary of State: especially their detailed ideas of tapping into the resources of our African diaspora community, like their professional skills and ability to report back from their, and their families’, experiences of what is actually going on. I am suggesting to Hilary Benn MP the need to develop a forum for African
Community residents in the UK to engage more effectively with his department, an excellent proposal
put forward during the meeting”.
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Labour Councillor for Burnt Oak, Charlie O-Macauley, and Barnet’s first African Heritage Councillor also spoke at the meeting. Councillor O-Macauley stressed the progress that had been made in development issues so far by the Government, but explained more needed to be done for countries like his own – Sierra Leone – troubled by
political instability and the consequences of civil war.
Cllr Charlie O-Macauley added: “I am very proud and honoured to have become Barnet's first African
Councillor.” |
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