A Bristol based network of African & Caribbean Community Organisations

Invites you to attend our 2nd Annual General Meeting on Saturday 5th December 09, 6pm

Guest Speaker:  Paul Stephenson OBE, Chair of Bristol Legacy Commission

We welcome all members of the public. Refreshments will be provided, please confirm your attendance by Tuesday 2nd December to ensure adequate provisions are made

Contact:  AVF Office on 0117 924 8572

E-mail: admin@africanvoicesforum.org.uk Website:www.africanvoicesforum.org

POSITIVE ACTION TRAINEESHIPS AVAILABLE. 

TRAINEE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE / ADMINISTRATOR £11,000 p.a. (Tax-Free) 1 year.

MERLIN HOUSING SOCIETY BRISTOLTRAINEE ASSERTIVE OUT-REACH WORKER x1 Second Step Housing Association. £11,000 Tax Free p.a

PART -TIME ADMINISTRATOR x 1  AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & ENTERPRISES, CENTRE   OF EXCELLENCE BRISTOL. £10.000 p.a Tax Free (PRO- RATA)

The closing date is 5.00pm on the 30 /11 /2009

If  interested please contact Billy Odumuzor - 0117 942 9555 ext 223 / Billy@ceed.co.uk

St Pauls Carnival Award Ceremony and Dinner Dance - 28th November 2009

On 28th November, Carnival’s many well-wishers will have a chance to lay the foundations for a successful 2010 Carnival by supporting the St Pauls Carnival Award Ceremony and Dinner Dance.

The ceremony, that is also a celebration, will be held at the City Academy, Russell Town Avenue, starting at 6.30 p.m. There is plenty of free parking, the tickets are just £10 and there is room for 300! That’s twice as many as could be hosted last year - an indication of the Committee’s determination that Carnival should grow

A bright, warm, convivial evening in one of Bristol’s exciting settings is guaranteed – along with a chance to recapture the colour of a summer festival. The £10 tickets will include a meal, (provided by local caterers) and a chance to dance- live music and DJ. Tickets on sale: from the Carnival Office details on www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk or at CD Shack, 1 City Road The Carnival has always championed – and been supported by - local businesses and local artists, and the Committee is determined to continue that policy, with the help of its local supporters. 

Last year a successful Awards Ceremony was held at Circomedia that attracted supporters, participants, award winners and sponsors. Guests included school procession members and musicians and there was a lovely mix as poets brushed shoulders with councillors. Those present testified to the way the event had become established in Bristol’s social calendar, but some felt that the Carnival Committee had missed a fund-raising opportunity and a chance to draw in people who are on the fringes of the Carnival. Hence, the new, larger venue and the slightly different format – an informal dinner dance! -  for November 2009.

Historical Note: The St Pauls Carnival, held on the first Saturday of July in the heart of Bristol, is an annual celebration of creativity that promotes harmony within and between communities and among stake-holders in the city. It has been an established free event for over forty years and   the St Pauls Carnival Committee is determined that it should survive on those terms in these difficult times. 

The volunteers who make up Committee work throughout the year to ensure the eruption of colour and creativity in July.  They urge well-wishers to support the Award Ceremony, to reward those who distinguished themselves at Carnival 2009, and to help to lay a firm basis for the event next July.

To reserve Tickets please call the St Pauls Carnival Office on 0117 944 4176 or e-mail info@stpaulscarnival.com. If you would like more information about this topic, or want to arrange to meet Rebecca Gibbs, please call 0117 944 4176 or email the carnival office at info@stpaulscarnival.com. 

 Widening the Talent Pool :

'Increasing BME Representation in the Workplace’ Conference – 18th November 2009

The Equalities and Community Cohesion team invites you to the 'Widening the Talent Pool - Increasing BME Representation' conference on Wednesday 18 November 2009 from 9:00 - 16:30 (including lunch) at the Council House, Bristol. 

As Bristol and the South West become increasingly diverse, will your organisation be ready to:Reflect the full talent of modern society? Be close to its customers' needs? Produce leaders who provide solutions for its diverse communities and the challenging issues they face?

This conference will provide an opportunity for private, public, voluntary and community sector organisations to work together to share best practice, highlight the latest developments and debate new solutions to tackle this issue.

The Chief Executive of Bristol City Council Jan Ormondroyd will provide the opening address for a series of speakers on key discussion topics including:The Case for Diversity – Peaches Golding, Business in the Community.Black & Minority Ethnic Staff Perceptions – Damon Kumi, Bristol City Council and Barbara Brown, Avon Fire and Rescue Service. Achievement in Business and Community Involvement – Gene Joyner, Owner of Spice Mart and Fola Kudhinbu Chair of the African Chamber of Commerce, Mentoring Scheme.  Mentoring Schemes – Mary Callaghan, Race for Opportunity. Developing the diverse talent in your workforce – Tracie Jolliff, The Knowledge Group. Pulling it All Together – Marvin Rees, BBC and the NHS. 

With our key-note speaker Success Principles, Muhammad Ali, Regional Director of Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations and the non-executive director of Bristol Primary Care Trust and Auto Infusion Ltd.

Workshops on the key issues will be held in the afternoon of the day, held by dynamic facilitators. Your expertise and knowledge is required to make this day a success in helping the region achieve its goal. Your attendance and participation will be highly appreciated.

RSVP – By 9 November – To equalities.team@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 92 22329 Please specify any dietary or access requirements.

 The Mozambique Meal

The Bristol Link with Beira is organising a Meal for Mozambique on the evening of FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER 09 with special guest Celso Paco, Mozambican storyteller and musician.

If you would like further information or to book tickets please email Dave Spurgeon : davespurgeon@blueyonder.co.uk

 Tides of Gold - Screening, Friday 21st of August. @ Watershed, Bristol, 8 p.m. 

Afrikaeye in partnership with AVF presents Tides of Gold; the award winning film that reveals the history, 800 years ago when the Monomatapa of Zimbabwe traded with China. The Empire grew up around the gold mines trading ivory and gold for Indian cloths and fine Chinese porcelain.

Massive stone walls at Great Zimbabwe, celebrate the ancient power of the Monomatapa King. Sailing Dhows from Swahili city states like Kilwa in Tanzania and Mombassa in Kenya moved the exports across the Indian Ocean. Gold used as currency in the expanding Islamic empire made Kilwa rich, and the ruins of the Sultan’s gracious palace and mosque still testify to an elegance dating back to the middle ages.

The Kombo Sillah Association UK in partnership with the Yaram Arts proudly presents the Senegalese "Mbalax" Star, Assane Ndiaye & Nguewel Gui Band LIVE in concert at THE MALCOLM X COMMUNITY CENTRE in Bristol. This is a Special UK Tour by Assane Ndiaye for the First time since the release of his latest Album.

Assane Ndiaye is therefore back in the UK due to popular demand after release of his brand new album during years of absence from United Kingdom. This is going to be an AMAZING NIGHT that you do not want to miss! Its FRIDAY 31st July 2009!

For more info and tickets, click here

 Do you want to become a Black Magistrate? Click Here for more Info !

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 For more details about this conference and to download Flyer click Here

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Community Crime Fighter training: 24th March 2008.

Community Crime Fighter training will be taking place in Taunton 24th March. The Event is free, lunch and refreshments will be provided, as will as assistance with travel costs. The events will start at 10am and finished by 4pm. 

Visit http://www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk/ for more information.

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 International Wemen's Day 09:  Sunday 8th March 2009

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Kombo Sillah  & Yaram Art presents “Gambia's Kora maestro Jaliba Kuyateh in commemoration of Gambia's Indipendence anniversary:   on 27th February 2009

The Kombo Sillah Association UK in partnership with the Yaram Arts proudly presents Gambia's Kora Maestro - Jaliba Kuyateh and Kumareh Band in Bristol. This is a Special European Tour by Jailba Kuyateh for the First time after the release of two brand new Albums - SEMBO and KENDOLU.  Jaliba is therefore back in the UK due to popular demand after releasing two brand bew albums during a two year absence from United Kingdom. This is going to be an AMAZING NIGHT that you do not want to miss!   It is also for a chance for Bristol SeneGambians and our African brothers and sisters and friends of the Gambia to celebrate Gambia's INDEPENDENCE anniversary in grand style!      COME ONE! COME ALL!      

Venue: The Greenway Centre,   Doncaster Road   Southmead,   BRISTOL   BS10 5PY      

Date: 27th of February 2009 - Doors open 22:00 HRS   from 00.00 - 04:00 am     TICKETS:   £25  per persone (Advance purchase - £20)  

For more info please contact: Lamin: 07919548305 – Buba: 07769804233 – Sulay: 07875122149 – Jainaba: 07786664726 or visit http://www.ksa-uk.org/

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Black Rights Conference  - 25th February 2008 from 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: The Salvation Army, Hassell Drive, Lawrence Hill, Bristol BS2 0AN

Book Now: Register on-line at http://brightproject.eventbrite.com/

Contact: Ejaz Ahmad, Development Manager, Phone: 0117 9396645. Deadline for registration is Friday 20th Feb 2009

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PALM Workshops  - Dealing with day to day hassles. Public Workshops

A world apart: dealing with differences - Date: 2/02/09 at 11am -1; 30pm - Dhek Bhal 43 Ducie Rd Barton hill Bristol BS5 0AX

Cope with the Asylum Process - Date: 11/02/09 at 2pm -4; 30pm  - Refugee Drop in Centre, Congregational Hall, Newton Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0QZ

Overcome Isolation - Date:  24/02/09 at 11am -1:30pm  - Venue: Pakistani Welfare, Organisation, 454 Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6PA

Discrimination and Racism  -  Date:  16/03/09  at 11am- 1:30pm. Venue: Pierian centre, 27 Portland Square, St. Paul's, Bristol BS2 8SA

Deal with Cross generational conflict - Date: 30/03/09 - Venue: Somali resource centre, 214 Avonvale Road, Barton Hill, BS5 9SXPlease reserve your place by contacting:

Mohammed Elsharif; 01179003433 / 07790988429

e-mail; mohammed.elsharif@aimtc.nhs.uk

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Seminar “Entrepreneurship: Youth Banking and Financial Services” - 3 - 4 April, 2009

Access to responsible credit for young entrepreneurs is essential for start-up companies and for the economies. The Seminar aims to give participants the understanding, knowledge and skills to involve all relevant principles for responsible credit and loan provisions from financial institutes.

Speakers will be nationally, and internationally, renowned experts in their fields. The Seminar will be of particular interest to members of the financial industry involved in securing new clients, the development of Corporate Social Responsibility policies and/or with a responsibility for lending policy as it represents a major opportunity to extend stakeholder networks and future developments.

Application forms are available at: http://www.ayf.de/events/events.html

Other related documents also available at: http://www.ayf.de/documents/documents.html

The French & German documents available at: http://www.ayf.de/de/events/events.htm

Sebastianstr. 177-179 - 53115 Bonn GermanyContact: Tel.: 0049 228 910 8833 - Fax: 0049 228 92 66 991 - Email: info@ayf.de – Web site: http://www.ayf.de/

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Celebration of new Somali President - Sunday 15 February 2009

The Somali community in Bristol is celebrating the election of their new president, Mr Sheekh Sharif Ahmed supported and backed by not only by the international community but rightly so by the Somalis across the globe who suffered most as a result of their state failure and the anarchy that is born from it. 

The Somali community across the globe including those in UK have been celebrating and welcoming this news. It is now the time that Somali community in Bristol come together to make this event happen.

All AVF members as well as anyone who can attend is invited to come.  

Date : 15 February 2009 from 5pm to 11pm

Venue: the Trinity Church, Trinity Road, Easton. Food and refreshments will be provided !!

Contact: Hassan Dahir / ed Abdi

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Seminars: Manage Your Money:  Starts 6th February  2009

Understand how money works in the UK. How to  confidently with bills, banks etc.

• Saving money when you shop
• Calculating discounts and interest (percentages etc)
• Understanding bills and bank statements
• How to use a UK bank or credit union
• How to get advice about money in the UK

This course is free if you have Refugee Status funded by the HBOS

Starts February 6th 2009  9.45 – 11.45am

• 6th February                Income & Expenditure
• 13th February              Budgeting
• 20th February              Half term – no class
• 27th February              Effective Shopping
• 6th March                    Banking
• 13th March                  Understanding financial documents
• 20th March                  Ways to Pay 

Venue: Barton Hill Settlement, Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0AX.

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Events:  OBAMA Commemoration Dance -  24TH January 2009

The African Voices Forum is marking Obama’s victory as the first Black US president; a positive role modelling event for people of African decent and other ethnic minorities. The occasion will climax with the launching of the concept of an Obama Education Fund; the official launch of the fund itself will take place later in the year. Places are free but limited so please contact African Voices Forum to reserve a place. Donations and contributions from organisations and individuals supporting the putting together of the event are most welcome. 

CONTACT DETAILS: African Voices Forum Secretariat, 97-107 Wilder Street, Ujima House, St Paul’s BS2 8QU.

Tel: 01179248572 / 07852143279Email: admin@africanvoicesforum.org / Web site: www.africanvoicesforum.org 

Programme:  

• 06.45 Doors Open
• VENUE – Colston Hall
• 07.20 Commemorative Speeches from:  {donaterequest}
• Kenyan High Commissioner in London
• US Embassy representative
• Leader and Deputy Leader of BCC

To download flyer please Click Here 

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DARFUR: The Empowerment of Women - 26th January  2009   This Public Meeting, organised by the Branch in association with the Darfur Training Committee, is the most important Darfur Conference ever held in Britain. The empowerment of women did not form part of the Communique issued after the 'Peace Meetings' in Ajuba. Indeed, the bombing of villages, the raping of women, the attacks on the camps of displaced people continue.  

You will listen to the Sudanese Ambassador and to leaders of the 'rebel' organisations...and to the women. The 'Round Tables' in the morning and afternoon sessions provide you with a
'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to contribute to the solution of a major world tragedy.

The Meeting is limited to 70 participants and the City Chambers insists that you register in advance. The first thing you must do in 2009 is to e-mail: newton@raypat.plus.com to register.

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National Children's Bureau (NCB) are currently running a series of free seminars for Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) and faith-based voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.

Venue: City Inn Bristol, Temple Way Bristol, City of Bristol BS1 6BF. Free places can be booked online at http://www.vcsengage/.org.uk. For further details email info@vcsengage.org.uk or telephone 0207 843 6085.

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Trafficking for Forced Labour: How to Protect Human Rights?: 10 December 2008 at The Watershed, Bristol 18.00 - 20.00. Public debate to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights International Human Rights Day event 2008 Speakers: Roger Plant, International Labour Organization Paul Whitehouse, Gangmasters Licensing Authority Klara Skrivankova, Anti-Slavery International

Booking: Tickets available from the Watershed Booking Office, tel. 0117 92 75100 - £6 (concessionary £4.50) For further details please go online or contact Rose West, Knowledge Exchange Officer on tel. 0117 32 84372 or e-mail rose.west@uwe.ac.uk.

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FILM NIGHT: "The Rime of Ancient Mariner (On Bicycle)": 30th November 2008: 7pm for 7.30 start. Tickets: £4.50 (concs for the genuinely hard-up). Bar opens at 7pm for drinks & nibblesTom Stubbs introduces his poetic 2-wheeled travelogue - preceded by his short, Light and Dark. "The Rime" manages to cycle in the footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge while at the same time getting lost at sea with the Ancient Mariner.  Four intrepid artists travel from Nether Stowey to Bristol pulling as many people as possible into the Mariner's plight.  Bar opens at 7pm for drinks & nibbles   Book on 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com

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Power: From Influence to Coercion (CAFE PHILOSOPHIQUE): 28th November: at 6.30 prompt–9.30pm - £17 (£12 unwaged) including food & drink.

Power enables us - and Power enslaves us. But is impotence the alternative? Debate, discuss & digest the problems of Power. Machiavelli, Foucault and our own experience will be our guides! Led by Roxane Loiseaux.    Bookings on 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com

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Invest in Community Radio conference coming up  in November 20th 2008: Learn more about how Bristol City Council and its partners can benefit from working together with BCfm 93.2fm, Radio Salaam Shalom and Ujima 98fm. These stations are collectively working with over three hundred active volunteers to support skills development, lifelong learning and community cohesion initiatives.      Read More