Background of Network

In May 2000, a Chinese community Liaison Group meeting attended by thirteen delegates representing nine Chinese voluntary and community sector organizations in London discussed the idea of setting up a pan-London mechanism to give the Chinese voluntary and community sector in London an effective voice in regional policy making. The Chinese in Britain Forum (hereinafter known as the Forum) was asked to develop and draft a mechanism, which would be representative of the sector, and would enable it to negotiate with, and promote its interests and concerns to policy-makers.

To help discussion, the Forum has drawn up a proposal for the terms of reference of a London network for the Chinese community in London, which is tentatively called 'London Chinese Community Network' (hereinafter known as the Network). It aims to set a framework for the construction of a new partnership approach to promote the interests of the Chinese community in London.

The Network will also work to ensure that information about funding opportunities is made widely available to its members and other Chinese voluntary and community organisations in London.

How will the Network achieve its aims?

The essence of the Network's role is to bring the different sections of the Chinese community in London's expertise together in order to develop a coordinated policy response on regional issues and policies.
The main function of the Network must therefore to enable a wide range of interest and issues groups to contribute a "holistic" response from the sector in London.

Steering Committee

A steering committee will be established in the short-term while the membership recruitment process is well advanced and a broadly representative so that Network can make democratic decisions on its priorities and the election of the steering committee. Thereafter, Network members will elect the steering committee on an annual basis.

The Role of the Forum

The Forum will initially host the Network and will provide premises, resources and management to the Network until such time as the Network is sufficiently established and funded to consider being independently located. If appropriate, the Network will establish a separate legal identity.