Runnymede Trust
The Runnymede Trust is a race equality [1] think tank founded in 1968 by Jim Rose and Anthony Lester,[2] with the aim of acting as an independent source for generating intelligence for a multi-ethnic Britain through research, network building, leading debate and policy engagement.[3] In 2015 its director was Omar Khan and its chairman is Clive Jones CBE.[4]
Policy areas
Runnymede currently undertakes research in the following areas:[5]
- Financial inclusion and ethnicity
- Black and minority ethnic older people
- Criminal justice policy
- Education policy
- Immigration and integration
Runnymede also holds the secretariat of the UK Race and Europe Network (UKREN) which is a UK-wide network of more than 200 organisations involved in race relations and combating racism at a local, national or European level.[6]
Work
Essays on Class and Race
In 2009, Runnymede published a collection of essays by leading thinkers on race and class, considering the relationship between social class and race equality. They argued that the white working class is discriminated against on a range of different fronts, but they are not discriminated against for being white.[7][8]
Antisemitism
In 1992, The Runnymede Trust set up a committee to examine Antisemitism in the UK. In 1994, after two years of research, the committee published its final report, entitled "A Very Light Sleeper - The persistence & dangers of antisemitism."[9]
Faith schools
Runnymede published research in 2008 concluding that faith schools in England must become schools for all children in order to encourage interaction between people of different faiths and ethnicities. The report was published after a two-year investigation into the impact that faith schools have on community cohesion.[10] [11]
Islamophobia
In 1996, Runnymede established a Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, chaired by Gordon Conway, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex.[12] The report, which was launched by Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw, was largely responsible for popularising the term Islamophobia in British political discourse.[13][14]
Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain
In 1997, Runnymede established the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain to consider the political and cultural implications of the changing diversity of the UK. The commission was chaired by Lord Professor Bhikhu Parekh. The commission published its findings and recommendations in October 2000. Two thirds of its recommendations were accepted by the government. [15]
Senior staff
Chairpeople
- Clive Jones CBE, 2009 -
- Samir Shah, 1999–2009
- Diana Brittan, 1998–1999
- Trevor Phillips, 1993–1998
- Anthony Lester, 1991–1993
- Jim Rose, 1980–1990
- Jock Campbell, 1968–1980
Directors
- Dr. Omar Khan, 2014–
- Dr. Rob Berkeley, 2009–2014
- Michelynn Lafleche, 2001–2008
- Sukhvinder Stubbs 1996–2000
- Robin Richardson, 1991–1996
- Kenneth Leech, 1987–1991
- Ann Dummett, 1984–1987
- Usha Prashar, 1977–1984
- Tom Rees, 1975–1977
- David Stephen, 1973–1975
- Dipak Nandy, 1968–1973[16]
Funding
The Runnymede Trust is a registered charity under English law.[17] It has a wide range of donors, from high-street banks to TV companies. Significantly, the Home Office of the UK government is a contributor.[18] However, the major donors are, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Robert Gavron Charitable Trust, who share a trustee, Dr Katherine S Gavron, with the Runnymede Trust.[19]
References
- Archived September 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- "Biennial Jim Rose Lecture". The Runnymede Trust. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- "Runnymede Trust / About Us". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- "Runnymede Trust / Staff Team". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- Archived February 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- Archived April 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- "Runnymede Trust / Publications". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- Travis, Alan (2009-01-22). "Class blamed for bias against poor whites". The Guardian. London.
- ""A Very Light Sleeper - The persistence & dangers of antisemitism"". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- "Runnymede Trust / Publications". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- "Faith schools 'serve privileged'". BBC News. 2008-12-04.
- https://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/Islamophobia%20Report%202018%20FINAL.pdf
- https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/anti-muslim-bigotry-tarnishes-legacy-sir-roger-scruton
- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/15/islamophobia-racism-definition-free-speech-theresa-may
- "Runnymede Trust / Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain". Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- "Runnymede Activities Report 2002/3" (PDF). Runnymedetrust.org. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- Charity Commission. THE RUNNYMEDE TRUST, registered charity no. 1063609.