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Executive Summary
The Sikh Agenda for the UK Government was formally agreed by the UK Sikh community at a convention held at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Wolverhampton on 16 September 2001. Over 10,000 Sikhs took part in the convention along with Sikh community leaders from over 120 Gurdwaras and over 40 other Sikh organisations .
Around 200 Members of Parliament including many in the Cabinet were invited to take part in the convention. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary, to name a few, whilst unable to attend the convention wrote to pass on their best wishes for it to be a success and welcomed the idea of a Sikh Agenda and the concept of a Sikh Secretariat to co-ordinate activities.
Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative leader, specifically pledged support for the Sikh Agenda by asking Malcolm Harbour, a Conservative MEP for the West Midlands, to deliver this message in person at the convention. Similarly, the Liberal Democrat Leader and Party Chairman, Charles Kennedy and Lord Dholakia, as well as the President of the Scottish National Party (Dr Winnie Ewing) and Leader for the Party of Wales (Ieuan Wyn Jones) all sent their best wishes for the convention and welcomed the Sikh Agenda as long overdue.
A number of Members of Parliament and MEPs were present to witness and take part in this historic event. Comments on the Sikh Agenda, made by the MPs present, were appreciated and have been reflected in the final wording of agenda items.
The Sikh Agenda is for, the UK Government, Members of Parliament, MEPs and Sikh organisations, to progress jointly over the next 5 years so that the UK Sikh community can play a more effective role in the multicultural British society and in the spirit of unity in diversity. The agenda also aims to promote British-Sikh relations globally.
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