The Royal Navy Race Diversity Network launches today

From Wednesday 9th Feb there will be a new Network to act as a central point of contact for – and champion of – all issues relating to race and racial diversity across the Navy.

The Royal Navy Race Diversity Network will be able to support its diverse membership and promote an inclusive culture across the Service.
 
The network brings together the entire Royal Navy family – sailors, Royal Marines, civil servants, RFA – and pushes this agenda with a single united voice.
 
Existing groups such as the Commonwealth Network will continue dealing with issues which affect RN personnel from overseas, such as visas, immigration and family matters while the Race Diversity Network will concentrate on race issues which affect people from the UK and elsewhere.
 
Because the uncomfortable truth is that discrimination exists in our society we can’t, and we shouldn’t, shy away from that.
 
So, the network aims to encourage and reinforce commanders’ confidence in taking action and engender a culture of anti-racism, supported by partner organisations such as the RN Commonwealth Network, RAF BAME Network and Army Multicultural Network.

 Honorary Captain Durdana Ansari is formally launching the network at HMS Collingwood on February 9th.
"Members of our ethnic minority communities have so much potential in them and our armed forces need to create an environment to embrace them,” she said.
 
“It will be detrimental to the health of our nation if we discourage 14 per cent of our population from taking a role in national defence only because of racial, religious, or ethnic bias against them.

“I see employee support networks such as the Race Diversity Network as a positive step to creating a healthy environment where everyone can thrive.”
 
If you’re interested in joining/supporting the network, or require its guidance and advice, contact network chair Lance Corporal Jack Kanani RM ([email protected]) or Commander Adrian Visram ([email protected]).