Logo DesignStrategic Goals
- To facilitate and support an integrated approach within government on matters related to African Nova Scotian issues, and provide corporate policy, strategic advice, and support to departments in order to build a sustainable framework for government relations.
- To work collaboratively with the African Nova Scotian Community to foster development and capacity building.
- To enhance awareness and understanding of African Nova Scotian experiences to government.
The Office will develop a website, a newsletter, and a toll-free number to keep African Nova Scotians informed of our actions and to encourage them to keep in contact with us.
We will organize a provincial summit to bring together African Nova Scotian communities to network, share ideas, and look for opportunities for African Nova Scotians.
We will also establish Primary Reference Groups (PRG) to draw on specialized knowledge and experience within the African Nova Scotian community that will complement the knowledge and skills of staff. We expect PRGs to strengthen the delivery of services to African Nova Scotians by helping us understand local concerns and by drawing on the skills and expertise of community leaders throughout the province.
TopCore Business Areas
The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs will carry out its responsibilities through the following four core business areas:
- African Nova Scotians and interdepartmental relations
- Negotiations and related discussions
- Community outreach
- Communication, public education, and awareness
Priorities
It is well accepted that connections exist between the determinants of health and health status; poor educational achievement, and involvement in the criminal justice system; greater educational achievements and improved employment opportunities; and quality of life, well-being and citizen participation.
Understanding these connections, the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs will focus on creating partnerships with key government departments to strengthen the delivery of services to African Nova Scotians.
These departments will include Education, Justice, Community Services, Health, Health Promotion and Protection, and Economic Development. In particular, the Office will take a lead role in collaborating with other stakeholders in the following areas:
Employment
- To help coordinate a provincial job training strategy/network process with the Black Employment Partnership Committees and others in the employment sector
- To facilitate employment opportunities
- To assist in developing employment strategies
Education
- To assist in increasing parent/community involvement in the education process
- To support the establishment of cultural competency across the education system
- To assist in establishing transition year programs
Justice
- To collaborate and develop activities designed to foster positive relations between all aspects of justice and the African Nova Scotian community
- To support provincewide implementation of the Restorative Justice's Black Case Worker Program