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The Chinese in Britain Forum’s National Conference 2007 will focus on the achievements of the community, specifically in the fields of education, commerce and in the transmission of cultural values across generations. The Conference will also take a critical look at ways in which the community have failed to take advantage of some key aspects of British citizenship, most particularly in the arena of civic engagement.

Steve Lau, Chair of the Chinese in Britain Forum, describes the key issues as follows:

“The focus of the Chinese community on the family unit has led to great success in the fields of commerce, education and has also sustained a strong sense of Chinese identity and culture. This focus has maintained a largely self- regulated and socially compliant community. From this the British born Chinese are generally confident in their identity with harmonious inter-generational relations. The community enjoys success in education, lowers rates of anti- social and criminal behaviour and higher levels of entry into the ‘professions’.

However, the focus on the family unit leads to disengagement from the wider community and often, even from the broader Chinese community in the UK. Indicators of this include the relatively underdeveloped Chinese Community and Voluntary sector, relatively low levels of philanthropy or of embracing those affected by tragedy. The few examples of wider organisational coalitions of the Chinese are primarily based on other restricting factors, including linguistic, political and geographical.

This lack of engagement is most keenly observed in the field of politics but is evident also by the lack of representation in mainstream society; including the criminal justice system, the education system and the voluntary sector. The higher levels of entry into the professions leads to under representation in other careers such as the armed forces, the police force, journalism and the civil service including local government. This creates an invisibility of the community that allows the media to misrepresent, and for racists and bigots to stereotype and to attack. At its worse it denies society a wealth of expertise and alternative ideas and approaches. Marginalised in this way, the opportunities for the Chinese to make their voice heard and to exercise their influence is limited.”

The National Conference seeks to draw out lessons from the Chinese experience in Britain, whilst at the same time seeking to engage the Chinese community in debate as to how the community can raise its level of civic engagement and active citizenship.

WORKSHOPS

British Problems, Chinese solutions
Many of the problems around integration and social cohesion in Britain are not shared by the Chinese community. Why is this so? What lessons can be learned from the Chinese perspective on social cohesion?

Chinese Education
What factors are behind the Chinese community’s success in Education. What challenges does this success present to our children, and how do we address those challenges. How can we ensure even greater success for our children?

Business Networks
What are the needs of Britian’s Business community, and how can these best be met? Is a stronger voice needed for Chinese entrepreneurs, and how might that be achieved?

British Chinese
How can Britain’s Chinese community contribute to the improvement of Britain’s society, and make a real difference not only within the community but beyond?