More must be done to champion the contribution of ethnic minorities and migrant workers in the north, it has been claimed.
Peter Osborne, chairman of the Community Relations Council, described a rise in hate crimes here as “disturbing” and appealed for political leaders to highlight the positive impact of inward migration.
He was speaking at the beginning of the 14th Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week.
Among issues discussed at events throughout the week are cultural diversity, racism, sectarianism and paramilitarism.
“Public representatives should shout out very loud and publicly what huge benefit Northern Ireland derives from BME (black and minority ethnic) communities and newcomers,” Mr Osborne said.
“Inward migration has uplifted us all socially, economically and culturally. Public services and many traditional industries depend on people born outside the UK or Ireland.
“Yet public policy and its implementation urgently needs to reflect this in better targeting race equality, better supporting BME organisations, and better promoting our intercultural future.”
Mr Osborne described an 87 percent rise in hate crime here over the last four years as “deeply troubling”, adding: “The Brexit vote has further sharpened concerns and fears. It is not that most people are racist - but those who are racist may now think more people agree with them than actually do. I believe the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland don't agree with the racists.
“In these circumstances, it is critically important that all people with a public voice stop using language that suggests newcomers to this region have somehow had a negative impact.
“We have an opportunity to create a new Northern Ireland - outward-looking, confident, inter-cultural - that isn't defined by its past.”
