The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. We not only give direct help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.

We believe asylum seekers and refugees should be treated with understanding and respect. Our services aim to reflect this and include:

• giving advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees to help them rebuild their lives
• working with refugee community organisations, helping them grow and serve their communities
• caring for separated children to help them feel safe and supported in the UK
• offering training and employment courses to enable asylum seekers and refugees to use their skills and qualifications
• campaigning and lobbying for refugees’ voices to be heard in the UK and abroad
• keeping them high on the political agenda and discussed in the media
• producing authoritative information on refugee issues worldwide, including reports, statistics and analysis

The Refugee Council is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes strong refugee representation. We are also a membership organisation and since 1983, our membership base has grown from 50 to nearly 180, a significant number of which are refugee community organisations.

The Refugee Council have recently produced  in partnership with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, a new publication entitled 'Employing Refugees'. This is a short guide, outlining the main documents refugees and asylum seekers have to demonstrate entitlement to work in the UK.

To download the publication go to: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/practice/employersguides/employing_refugees.htm

The Government Equalities Office has commissioned research from Cranfield University on improving diversity in the boardroom. This research has now been published on their website at:http://equalities.gov.uk/news/increasing_diversity_on_boards.aspx

Part 1 identifies three types of barriers to diverse boards, through a rapid evidence assessment, and Part 2 maps the initiatives being followed both in the UK and internationally to improve boardroom diversity and provides some case studies.  There is also a 4 page research summary, which covers both reports.

A study has found that jobseekers whose name appears to indicate that they are white apply for nine jobs before getting an interview compared with African or Asian name who have to apply for 16. Jim Knight, the Employment Minister, said: "We are determined to stop this scourge on society." To find out more information please click on the Llnks below:

Also in Times Oct 20th 2009Job discrimination(Times, The {Main}– Page 21)

http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2009-2010/rrep607.pdf&

http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/summ2009-2010/607summ.pdf

There was an article in the Observer on Sunday at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/oct/18/racism-discrimination-employment-undercover