relevant somal - june 2012

7/31/2019 Relevant Somal - June 2012

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Youth

Employme

nt

Matters


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FIRSTEDITION-JUNE201

2

MEDIA

Toensureyoungpeople

canshowcasetheir

creativityandto

furthermoredevelopthe

keycommunicationskills.

EDUCATION

Toassiststudentswith

appropriateacademic

guidancerequiredforsecure

employmentandprosperous

futureprospects.

CRIME PROVISION

Toexamineincidenceof

gangrelatedissuesinthe

Somaliacommunityand

relevanceofantisocial

behaviour.

Defeat the stereotype is designed to

educate and empower young Somali

peopleandthoselivingwithinandaround

Somali communities in order to support

and prevent those that are becoming

involvedinviolenceandgangs.

Campaign will providementors with vital

advice, support, guidance and mentoring

throughout the project duration and

activities including workshops, forums,

presentations and awareness sessions to

discuss issues affecting both Somali and

wider communities in order to create

common solutions to tackle barriers,

realise individual potential and create

opportunities fora positive future inthe

UK.

Young participants will develop key

communication skills through outreach

work, discussions and interviews with a

variety ofpeople in their local area and

use and develop their creative skills to

collate evidence collected into produce

reports, magazines and short films to

discuss relevant issues, raise awarene

andshareinformation.

The Somali community is a considerab

fastgrowing community inmany Lond

boroughs, to which many face ma

challenges around cohesive integrati

intotheBritishsystemandculture.Man

in the Somali community feel they a

often misunderstood and stereotyped

media; our unique approach will enab

youngpeopletoexpressthemselves.


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Duringtheprojectplanningprocess

RelevantSomalengagedwithfeedback

resourceyoungandelderSomali

communitymembersandfoundthatin

manycases1stgenerationSomalisfelt

unabletointegrateintoBritishsociety,

whichmanyfeltwasduetolackof

information,guidanceandaccessto

appropriateservices.Somesuggested

thishashadadramaticimpactonyoung

Somali'swhofacemanychallengesas

theytrytoadapttotheBritishsystem

oftenwithoutanyparentalorfamily

support.Itbecameclearduring

discussionswiththoseoutsidetheSomali

communitythatlackofunderstandingand

mediastorieswhichoftenportrayed

Somaliyouthasparticularlyviolentand

involvedinanumberofgang-related

murdersacrossLondon,thatworkneeds

tobedonetochangethecurrent

situation.Duringdiscussionsamong

youngSomali'stheysaidthatinformation

isoftennotchanneledtothem,suchas

jobopportunities,facilitiesandservices

availablewhichmadethemfeelworthless

andexcludedfromthelocalcommunity.

Othersfeltthattheyoftenhadtoliveup

tocertainstereotypescreatedinthe

mediajustsoothergroupsinthearea

wouldnttargetthem.Itwasclear

throughallthemeetings&discussions

heldthattheSomalicommunityisgreatly

misunderstoodbygeneralsocietyandin

ordertointegratesuccessfullyandcreate

astrongcohesivecommunity,the

RelevantSomalprojectisneededtoraise

awareness,aspirationsandcreatelong-

termopportunitiesforallinvolved.

RelevantSomalProjectisdesignedto

engageandprovideopportunitiesfor

thosefromwithintheSomalicommunity

andthewiderlocalcommunityinanattempttoempowerandbuild

communitylinks.Theprojectwillenable

thosefromtheSomalicommunitywho

areoftenunabletoaccesscurrent

servicestobenefitfromaprojectwhich

aimstoraiseawareness,tacklebarriers,

provideopportunitiesandsupportin

ordertoassistthemintheirsuccessful

transitionintoBritishcultureandabilityto

integratefullywiththelocalcommunity,

whilstretainingandcelebratingtheir

Somalicultureandtraditions.Relevant

Somalwillenablebothyoungerandelde

membersoftheSomalicommunityand

thewiderlocalcommunitytoengagean

worktogethertocreaterelationships

whichwilldirectlytackletensionsand

createsolutionstobuildastronger

communitywhich.Thoseinvolvedinthe

projectwillbegivenvaluableaccessand

supportfromawiderangeoflocal

people,groupsandprofessionstoenable

themtoidentifyandcreateopportunitie

whichwillinspirethemandallowthemt

createabetterfutureforthemselvesand

RelevantSomalbeganastenweek

pilotedprojectatLamptonSchool,Hounslowtomainlyhelppupils

withhomework.Weincluded

secondelementofteachingthe

youngpeopleSomaliculturesand

historiestogethertheyfound

activitiesbenefitingasstudents

foundtookfurtherinterestin

runningworkshops.Theyalso

participantshostedassemblyto

addresstheirdiscoveries.

I have always ha

a dream to ensu

other Somali

youth can share

media to expres

their views

Mohamed Said

Founder and

Director of

Relevant Soma


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4

ofState for United States said In particular we must

focusontwodimensions,acceleratingpoliticalprogress

andcontinuing security.Somalias road mapis crucial

torestorecalmtothewidersocietyasprovenincapital

Mogadishu normal population rebuilding their

livelihoodsafterextremistgroupAl-Shababwithdraws.

Chair of conference and British prime minster David

Cameron spoke optimistically of encouraging a

prosperousSomali inforeseeablefuturehe mentioned

Somalia,Ibelieveiswithinreach,ofanewSomalia;this

involves allSomalisand ultimatelya newgovernment,

truly accountable to demand and properly

representativetoallSomaliregioninessencethenew

pathtohelpSomaliatoovercometheconflicts.Withaid

effortsfrom African Union peacekeepersmanaging to

force out Al Shabab out of Mogadishu to bring

reestablishcivilization,asresultsaUNresolutionpassed

vetoto increasetroopfrom12000to17700effortsto

put the group into retreat. Leaders with delegations

from all regions of Somalia for the first time came

together to discuss their concerns landmark in recent

past.

3. Greek Closure

Fleeing conflicts toseek refuge elsewhere is known to

have heavycosts to migrantsbutthe worstbeing the

absenceofHumanRights.MostSomalimigrantsonroot

to Europe aim to end up mainland Germany,

Netherlands or far as Sweden and Denmark but

essentially end up going through nations like Greece.

Greece legislation has tough immigration policies, an

issue that face thousands of Somali trapped and not

allowedtoearnaliving.ThishascausedSomaliDiaspora

globallytoraiseconcernbutEuropeanlegislationstates

immigrants must remain to whom the nation they

enteredas Somalicommunitystruggles inGreecenew

pressuregroupsareemerging.

1. Somaliland: Independence day celebration

The 18th

May is the day when self declared Republic of

SomalilandthenorthernregioninwartornnationofSomalia

celebrates their independence. A break away province with

little international recognition against all the odds has

managedtoupholdpeaceandstabilityforovertwodecades.

OnceaBritishproclaimedstatethecitiesandtownacrossthe

country rejoice day with thousands of people coming

togetherwithred,whiteandgreencolors.Unlikeneighboring

nationthecountryhasastable,steadygrowingeconomywith

new global investors and international partners. It seems

Somaliland has number of reasons to celebrate with more

countryadmiringtheeffortstopromotedemocracy.Withall

strengths Somaliland face number of obstacle with piracy,

extremist groups and unsettled clan relations in eastern

regions.

Furthering the recognition has allowed whole range of

movements tooppose thestateandobserversclaimreason

for Somaliland not gain full recognition is because little

dialogue between Sothern leaders in Mogadishu. Other

arguments suggest boarder alterations will cause regional

conflict across Africa, countries imply displacedpopulations

have notified African Union. Many Somali landers feel

optimistic on the national 21st anniversary on keeping up

progressionanddisplaytruedemocracy.

2. End of the road for Transitional Federal

Government

TherecentSomaliLondonConferenceon23rd

February2012

has confirmed August will mean the transitional factor will

apply for current TFG. Heads of states discussed number

issuesregardingdevelopmentinSomalia.Howevertherehas

beenemphasis on accountability and representative should

be implemented from newly elected Federal Government.

There have been various outcomes from the conference a

centralpointwasraisedallowingtheSomalipeopletochoose

a viable government to lead Somalia to next phase of

establishingpeaceanddevelopment.HilaryClintonSecretary


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6

Somali community have casted their concernsregarding

British political representation to contest on their behalf.

Around 250,00 Somalis live in Britain yet m any complain

they should have grater voice in national politics and to

raise their matters likewise to promote and familiarize

citizenship in Somali community. To take an in-depth

understanding of the issues politicians faces we spoke to

youngest Somali Local Councilor, Cllr Awale Olad of

London Borough of Camden. He gave us observation on

why the Somali diaspora in Britain lack representation

and what should be done to overcome these challenges.

Cllr Awale Olad is the local councilor for Holborn and

Covent Garden ward. He was elected 2010 at age of 25

years old. Making him one of the youngest councilors in

Camden and the youngest councilor nationally of Somali

origin. Once a student at King Collage he suggested one of

the reasons why Somali lack increasing representation is

the interest from younger candidates.

WhatdoesitmeantobeaLocalCouncilor?

Thejoboflocalcounciloristosetstrategicdirection andagendasforlocalauthoritiesweatheritsenvironment,

planning,communitysafetyorintegrationsequalitieswithinthe

localarea.Ourroleisquitevariedintryingtodeterminehowto

improvethelivesoflocalpeople.

WhatconcernsdoyouhaveaslocalCouncilor?

Well one ofthe main concerns I share and contest for sinc

elected,istheoutrageouscutswevehad tomakedue toth

government budget, Nemours cuts in local funding therefor

wehadtoreducesomeservices.Thisleadstoredevelopingou

approachincouncilandlookingbackatourmanifesto.Putting

allthoseconcernstooneside,Irealizedourlocalresidenceha

been impacted directly by the cuts Conservative & Libera

DemocratPartieswasmaking.Wevebeenworkinghardtodo

ourpartfor struggling families,as wemust uphold thedutie

weowetolocalpeople.


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What changes have you implemented

regardingSomalicommunityinyourlocal

areaweather itbeing policingmakingor

campaigns?

IneverthoughI wouldcomeintopower

orbepartofgroupthatcomesintopower

in the local authority which immediately

impactsthelivesoftheSomalicommunity.

Its always been about were the Somali

people wants tobe and Ivenot gone to

community groups because they are not

widelyrepresentativeoftheentirepeople,

but Ive actually listen to what the local

peoplehaveto sayandI understandthey

have besic requirements suchto provide

for themselves and their families. Reason

whySomalicommunityismisrepresented,

is due to us coming from refugee

backgrounds,wedontholdmuchstakein

thiscountry andtherefore wedont have

hardlyanyindividualswithrealwealthwe

are quite new community which means

natural ly we would be bottom of the

ladder.One of theremarkable aspectsof

our community is that we want to do

better for ourselves, we want to achieve

better andin saying that one obstaclesis

integration.IfthereislackIntegrationyou

seemanypeoplenotdoingwellinsociety

yetthisallpartofintegration,whichisnot

exclusive to the Somali community. Ive

been approached by countless Somali

people wanting partake in business

entrepreneurial geneand a lotofpeople

have told methey would like torisk new

businessventures, they want tobe given

opportunity so they can become net

contributorstotheeconomy.

Is their issue with Somali community

regarding culturally integration in British

society?

Well, Our Prime Minster believes

multiculturalism is failed, I personally

believeintegrationhasfailedandwehave

to bring forth policys that may force

people into integrating. Although this

goes back to the notion of what doesmulticulturalism or integration imply?

With Integration its more about

understanding how society works, being

able to learn how different people and

being able to apply your ethics and

backgroundtosociety.Ourproblemisnot

that we dont particularly integrate but

fundamentally we dont know how to

integrate which Borough of Camden

recognizes. Im not sure weather they

have succeeded but Im convinced its a

long-termprocess.

Why does Somali community lack

national representation such as Somali

MP?

Iunderstanditsparliamentroletoreflect

society but I dont believe we should

solely looks after the interests of onecommunity. If MP was to be elected

correctly you must look serve everyone

who you represent in the constituency

but shouldnt champion one cause but

however there should be a MP as

respectiveoftheSomalipeoplethismight

allow Somali community to integrate

furtherandpreventbeingmarginalizedin

society. This individual must be

experience, wise and fully integrated so

they canunderstand different aspectsof

Britishsociety.Soinconclusionheorshe

needs to be versatile by taking wider

approach on issues like foreign policy,

economyandeducation.

HowcanLocalCouncilorsassistSomali

Youth?

What we as can do as local councilors

canspecificallydoisidentifythoseissues

and we understand concerns like the

misuse of illegal drugs. I think we can

solve such problems by tacking issues

early onby supportparents takingmore

authoritative approach; although today

youhaveparentsbeinglessinvolved.We

wentfrombeingacommunitythatshand

on to handsoff attitude because parent

fear authorities such social service

disrupting their childs relationship.

always say its easy to get a child to

recognizethegoalsyouenvisageforthem

but whats harder is to see the young

person become that someone. In regards

to that young person being employed

especially from the Somali can be

challenging. There is a studies saying a

person thats ethnically black is six time

lesslikelytogetjobandsomeonewhosa

Muslimiseighteentimeslesslikelytoget

job so from that Im guessing Somalis are

twenty four times less likely to earn

themselvesajob.Ifweascommunitywan

to reach those goals we must be more

competitiveineducationandparentsmus

investinyoungpeople.

AretheiranysignsofnewyouthfulSomal

advocateinLocalCouncils?

No Idont,unfortunately, Isee theelde

generationwanttobecomemoreinvolved

Speakingastheyoungestcouncilorfroma

poolof five councilorsthroughouttheUK

Its quite astounding that today how we

lack in British politics and lack of young

Somalis taking interest. Recently Im

pleased to see Rakhia Ismail to be the

LabourParty candidatefor Hollowayward

at Islington which will make her the firs

femaleSomalicounciloralsoTowerHamle

electedAhmed Omerbecame first Somal

mayor which was landmark but more

ceremonial triumph, so there is signs

emerging.Butdownfallsexistwithwide

Somali politicians as l ittle, in fact no

communication some councilor I firmly

believethereis need formoreinteraction

asI wasbriefly speaking with DrAbdullah

Guiled a Councilor at Ealing and Ahmed

Ibrahim from Southwark. we should

introduceandfacilitateaSomalicouncilor

forumwhichcanbenefitwiderdiaspora


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8

escalating. Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed has legislativepowers at transitional federal government with

international support . These current substantial

progresses have had l ittle impact on re-promoting

peacefulcalm.Thiscouldlargelybeduetolackofdialogue

between regional leaders. The geographical separation

indicates colonial differences but social barriers do also

exist.

Internationalinterferencegavewarcriminalstheexcuses

tocommitatrocitiesandworstviolenceonstreetsacross

Somalia. In 1974 the Soviet Union gave Somalia an

estimated $345,000,000 in military support. Thisencouraged Barre to run the military powerhouse and

eventuallyusedagainstnorthernmovementsuchasSNM.

This investment by Soviet Union to create mutual

friendshipwas going toplay vital tool of thecollapseof

Mogadishu.

At1993 the UNandUSsetup atask force, Restoreand

HopetoaidthepandemicfaminsweptacrossSomalibut

more importantly Maguidushu. Many rebels accused the

US of wanting steer to add to the intensity of conflict

others disagreed. Particular rebels representing General

FarahAididwerelooting,rapingandfightheavily.

Alongwithregionalidentityandclanaffiliationbecomes

embeddedculture.Negativeimpressionscanbevisualso

confusionsointeriorrelationscouldnottranspire.Some

culturalanalystsblametribalismforlackofinnovationin

Somalia.Mostprobablysocialandphysiologicalinfluences

hadimpactbutdidntthegoodwillbetweenfellownational

menendure.HowcouldpoliticaloppressionofSiadBerra

indentthecoherenceacrossthecountry?

OVERTWODECADESHAVEPAST,Civildestructionbefallen,

millionsdiedandlackoflawinorderbuttherealquestion

remains for Somali people, additionally will peace and

development resurface. Somalia has witnessed agony,

conflicts and tyrant dictatorship. Since the fall of ruler

MohamedSiadBarra,warlordsanguishthepublic,newpro

terrorism groups (Al-Shabab) take command of large

districts of capital Mogadishu, AU forces now function to

restore glimmer of stability. Off land fishermen turn to

piracy over disputeswith global industries using coast to

dumpwaste. Allkeyfactors proving for Somalia ismoving

towardsthewrongdirectionto bea sovereignprosperous

nation.

Looking at the short conflicting history of Somalia there

seems tobe tostrict leadershipupagainst blame forthe

destruction ofourbelovednation. Former SomaliDictator

Mohamed Siad Barre, he established nationalist socialism

where he elected a Supreme Council and worked hard to

produce aboomingSomalieliteonthe international stage.

Alongtheroadhemadehorrificerrorsashemanagedtorun

an intimidating regime, cause conflicts betweenclans and

disturbIslamic teaching acrossthe country. Hemay have

madeasignificantsteptocausetensionbuthowhasawhole

country not distinguished their differences.1993Battleof

Mogadishu indicates theoutcry by thecitizensbecauseof

thepowercageBarrebuilt.

Artificial borders are becoming more real as northern

regions such as Somaliland hope to gain recognition.

Somalilandhasastabledemocracyinplace,mutualrelations

with neighbouring nations and effective security. Putland

has political objectives to defeat piracy as it rapidly


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10

ManyobserverssuggestaweakwelfarestatealongsideacorrosionoffamilylifeinBritainhastakenambitionaway.Newlyadopted

legislationwantstoextendageofschoolleaversto18andhaveaskedforthistobeimplementedalongwithmorementorschemes

whichensurestudentsreachtheirfullpotential.Ontheotherhand,someyoungpeoplefeeltheydonthavetheessentialinterview

skillsneededastheyhaveneverbeentaughtandcanonlyrelyonpartialworkexperienceobtainedinsecondaryschool.

Ali Hersi, 19 said The two week experience during year10 forme was not helpful, yes I learned to trade but I no practicalemployabilityskillsaremarksharedbyothers.AnothernoteworthypointraisedbyAliwasthefactthatemployabilityskillsare

essentialforallworkplaces.Asnewpoliciesareimplemented,thegovernmentacknowledgesthattheinternationalmarketforjobsis

highlycompetitiveasfirmsareglobalizingtheirexistingbrands.

Inadditionmanyemployersfromemergingglobalmarketsrequireapplicantstoovercomelanguagebarriers;asaresultschoolsare

introducingforeignlanguagesasakeysubjectinthecurriculum.

Teachersarehavingtorelayusefulinformationtostudentsinorderforthemtobenefitwhentheygetstarttowork.Indifferentjobs,

manyemployersareconcernedwithtrainingupapplicantstoacquireapositionthatdiffersbetweenprivateandpublicsectorsasit

iswelldocumentedthatthereismorechallengingviewsintheprivatesectorasemployeesareassessedmorediligently.However

employeesfrompublicsectorarejudgedoncooperationthathasbecomeobstacleforyoungapplicantstograsp.

Awholerangeissuesareobviouslyoccurring,highunemploymentrateisevidentlyeffectingyouthinBritainbutmoreimportantly

thegovernmentistakingseveralmethodstoraisetheconcernasafinancialanalystsuggesteditcanbecomesystemicandcould

directlyeffecttheeconomyinyearstocome.Theclearlinkinendorsingmoreentrepreneurshipisvaluabletoallowyoungpeopleto

displaytheirkeyskills

AwholerangeissuesareobviouslyeffectunemploymentiseffectingyouthinBritainbutmoreimportantlygovernmentistaking

severalmethodstoraisetheconcernasfinancialanalystsuggestitcanbecomesystemicanddirectlyeffecttheeconomyinyearsto

come.Theclearlinkinendorsingmoreentrepreneurshipisvaluabletoallowyoungpeopletodisplayinnovativeproducts


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1

Culminatinginhimreceiving3rdplacein

the BBC Sports Personality of the year

2011. Notonlygrabbing attentionwithin

the Somali Community but around the

world.

As boy from Hounslow to internationa

sports personality its obvious he wil

becomea rolemodel forSomali youth in

particular as sports is taken seriously

compared to other entities. Earlier this

yearhereceivedanawardfromPresiden

Ahmed Silanyo from Republic o

Somaliland. As the athlete he is making

significant progress to help the genera

Somali community both here in the UK

andbackinAfrica.2

NowlivinginOregon,UnitedStateshaving

previously lived in west London Mo hasbecome a star of international stage

During his busy training schedules he

spends large amounts of his yearly

calendar in high altitude training

conditions at Kenyan mountains

therefore traveling is a big part of his

sportingcareer.Moisacommittedfamily

man with wife Tania and daughter

Rihanna whose move to the US has

allowed him to use training state of art

facility whilst spend more family time

Likewise a Somali heritage Mo Farah

himself has realized that he is an

ambassadorformillions of youngpeople

heneedstosupporthishomeland.Hehas

sincehesetuptheMoFarahFoundation

to provide food aid to needed places

aroundthehornofAfrica .

DonatetotheMoFarah

Foundationrecentlyestablished

byMoFarah.Thefoundationis in

theprocessofbuilding10water

wellsinSouthernSomaliaAninactivesetupbySomaliborn

athletetogivebacktohis

homelandduring2011famine

thathaskilledthousandofpeople

andwildlifeacrossSomalia.

Formoreinformationvisit

www.mofarahfoundation.co.uk

FavoritelongdistancerunnerMoFarahis

tippedtosecuregoldforGreatBritainat

2012 London Olympics. He has elevated

hisperformancesoverthepastfewyears

with classy and determination winning

records, which will hopefully result in

uninterrupted success many imply

culminating in a gold at London 2012.

Unlikemost athletes hewas born inwar

torn Somaliaandmigrated to theUnited

Kingdomatthetenderageofeight,hefled

theconflictandtriedtoliveanormallife

here inBritain.Hisrawpotential in long

distance running was discovered by

sportsteacherAlanWatkinsonatFeltham

Community Collegewho hadfaithin him

andhisabilitiesfromtheverybegging.

With a whole array of lucrative

sponsorshipdealsMoisalwaysportrayed

ahumblingcharacter lookingto improve,

to add to his achievement some analyst

say newcoached by Alberto Salazarwill

improveperformance andgreat facilities

to run for the Nike Oregon Project. Mo

FarahhasbecomeanadvocateforBritish

sports, which allows the Somali

communitytocelebratehisachievements

and hopefully result in more Somali

youthswith potential in sports to follow

Mosfootsteps.

Many praise Mo with his goals of

improving his performance and stronger

mentality to win and achieve the better,

hismost recentmilestonewas achieving

the gold in the 10,000-meter European

AthleticsChampionship, thushighlighting

Moscapabilitytoperformonworldstage.


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WehavecreatedanonlineplatformforyoungpeopletocommunicateWehavethreemain

sourcesofonlinecommunicationFacebook,

TwitterAccountandWebsite.Wearehave

committedteamworkingtoupdatetheseonline

platformssojoinouronlinecommunityusethis

facilitythatsavailableforyourneeds.Weaimto

utilizenewmediaandconnectwithyoungpeopletoensuretheyhaveaviableplatformsotheirviews

areheard.Wehavemadesignificantstridesin

videoproductionsothatwecaninteractwithyouth

ourYoutubechannelwillpromotedebatesand

opendiscussions.


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relevant somal - june 2012

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