rota_logo

targeting social policy

Race on the Agenda

Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is one of Britain's leading social policy think-tanks focusing on issues that affect Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Originally set up in 1984, ROTA aims to increase the capacity of BAME organisations and strengthen the voice of BAME communities through increased civic engagement and participation in society.

ROTA's Articles of Association state that the charity is set up "to work towards the elimination of racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity, human rights and good relations between persons of different groups".

people_pic

ROTA's policy work is evidence based in the sense that everything we do is informed by the views and real life experiences of BAME communities and the organisations that are set up to serve them. We use the term BAME to refer to all groups who are discriminated against on the grounds of their race, culture, nationality or religion. We collect this evidence through:

  1. Action Research (qualitative and quantitative surveys)
  2. The ROTA based networks of HEAR and MiNet
  3. Events, consultations and conferences
  4. Working in partnership with others.

ROTA's current priority policy areas are:

For historical and demographic reasons, our work prioritises London, but our activities and a number of our projects have national and international significance. To this end we work in close partnership with our membership and others interested in race equality, human rights and the promotion of good relations.

Our presence in London is enhanced by our two regional networks, MiNet and HEAR.

MiNet is the London focused BAME network of networks, which joined ROTA in 2002 to strengthen the voice for London's BAME Third Sector in the development of regional policy.

HEAR is London's only pan-equalities and human rights network, which joined ROTA in January 2005. Its focus is on issues affecting London's equality and human rights third sector organisations.