Hiiraan Online
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Members of the Somali Community in Bristol shared their ideas in the way forward for Somalia with the UK Ambassador designate to Somalia, Harriet Mathews OBE on Friday 15 May as part of series of meetings with Somali Diaspora Groups throughout the UK before H.E. Ms Mathews takes up her position in July.
Ms Mathews said that her main objective was to listen to the views of the Diaspora and to start a dialogue with British Somalis about the work of the British Government in Somalia. She outlined the UK Government's priorities, took questions on a wide range of issues and met community leaders. She was accompanied by Claudia Garland of Somali Desk at FCO.
H.E. Ms Matthews OBE visited Somali Businesses in Easton to Witness the contribution Somalis are making to Bristol.
Following the meeting Ms Mathews said:”there were lots of ideas on how to rebuild Somalia, and a great willingness to help strengthen the UK-Somali relationship”.
Mohamed Ahmed Cantoobo of Act for Somalia Group summed up the community’s view of the visit and said “we are delighted that the Ambassador visited us here in Bristol and we had a frank discussion on how Somalia can be rebuilt, I welcome how British Government is keen on rebuilding Somalia”.
Dr Eric Herring, professor in International Politics in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, and Co-Director of Somali First, said, ‘It is a great honour to help Act for Somalia to host this visit. The UK is playing a very important role in Somalia and Bristol’s Somali community is the UK’s third largest. The University is committed to supporting the promotion of Somali-led development through the Somali First initiative and the University’s strategic partnership with Transparency Solutions. In hosting this event, we are aiming to help promote co-operation between the UK and the Somali people.’
The event was organized by Act for Somalia Group and Bristol University’s Somali First Imitative.