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Forum looks the experiences of
African Caribbean fathers
The
Barnardo’s Babyfather Initiative is partnering with Fathers
Direct (the National Information Centre on Fatherhood) in an
important forum in Central London focusing on fathers and
fatherhood in African Caribbean families in contemporary
Britain.
The
forum is also a tribute to the Founding Father of Barnardo’s,
Dr Thomas Barnardo, whose vision of giving children a better
start in life lives on through the work of the organisation
today as they celebrate the centenary of his death.
Working
with Fathers is a one day event as the centre piece event at
Fathers Direct’s second major policy and practice
conference. The conference will take place at the Institute
of Education
on Tuesday 5th
April 2005 with an expected attendance of 1000 delegates.
Over the past
decade, US researchers have revealed unexpected strengths
and resilience in African American fathering, including
close father-daughter relationships and high levels of
participation by fathers in domestic work. Although poverty
and racism create barriers, it has been found that some
non-resident African American fathers have higher levels of
contact with their children than their Hispanic or European
equivalents.
The UK
conference aims to address key issues including a hard look
at the current situation in the UK. What are the
commonalties and differences between African and Caribbean
fathers, between fathers within those groupings, and between
these men and other fathers? What strengths do British
African and Caribbean men bring to fathering? How is the
picture changing as communities become less self-contained?
This forum is
a mix of entertainment, research and practice and will
be chaired by Errol John New Opportunities Manager
Barnardo’s and co founder of The Babyfather Alliance.
Celebrity author/musician
Patrick Augustus will then talk about his books and hit TV
series ‘Babyfather’.
Distinguished
psychologist Dr Jeune Guishard-Pine will look ‘beyond father
absence’ at father
residence, father-child closeness and fathering behaviours
in black families and Barrington Reeves, who contributed to
the recent BBC Radio 4 series ‘Raising Ham’, will speak of
his experiences growing up as a young, black father in
contemporary Britain.
The
conference aims to develop tools and strategies for engaging
effectively with young African Caribbean men and fathers.
The
day will close with the ‘Fathers of Reggae’ concert in the
evening, featuring The Godfather of Reggae Mr. Alton Ellis
and “The SKATRONICS”, whose set will be a tribute to the
Skatelites, the founding fathers of Reggae music. The band
features a collection of the UK and Jamaica’s finest
exponents of Ska,Jazz and Reggae including - “Buttons” UB40
Trombonist -“Clifton (Bigga) Morrison” Keyboard player
extraordinaire whose credits include Jazz Jamaica and Asward,
and many other musicians of outstanding calibre.
The
concert starts 7.45 pm at The Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon
Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H OAH. Tickets from: 0207
388 8822 or www.thebloombury.com
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