The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) says it is considering a number of wide-ranging recommendations made at its Strategic Assessment Validation Workshop to improve its service.
In a press release the ERC said 50 stakeholders from across the country participated in the seminar including those drawn from the Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions, representatives from the labour department, private sector and women and youth constituencies. Representatives from regions three, four, five, six, seven and ten and parliamentary political parties and representatives from civil society also attended. The PNCR did not attend the meeting, the release said.
Stakeholders made several recommendations to boost the ERC’s work including reconstituting the Commission, strengthening staff, strengthening programme planning functions, establishing more partnerships, regional and local infrastructure, prioritising judicial function and adopting a strategic focus. In response, the Commission committed to working immediately on these submissions as well as to reworking its public relations, education, awareness and communication strategies.
The ERC also said it will put measurers in place to ensure its investigative unit is more proactive with a systematic and statutory presence in the regions.
