The Art of Communication: - Derry City Council

ForewordI am very pleased to be writing the forewordfor this very interesting report. I am alsovery pleased that this initiative has carriedout important work in seeking to interactbetter with Chinese and other minoritycommunities.This research will promote betterunderstanding of the Chinese communityand their input into the catering trade inNorthern Ireland. The Chinese cateringtrade provides an excellent service to thewhole community in Northern Ireland andespecially in the areas focused upon by thisstudy. I expect by promoting the Chinesecatering trade through this report the widercommunity will develop a better sense of theservices it provides for the whole community.I hope that this document will helpto identify the barriers which inhibiteffective communication with the Chinesecommunity and also recognise ways inwhich these barriers may be overcome.Reports such as these are an importanttool in highlighting current, innovativemethods of communication and practicebetween Chinese catering businesses andtheir Environmental Health Officers, whilstat the same time identifying areas whereadditional work is needed to further improveand develop new communication channels.Better communication between the Chinesecatering community, the relevant Councilsand Environmental Health Agencies can onlyhelp to increase the standards of the foodwhich the Chinese catering trade serves tothe community. This report, I believe can gosome way to help Chinese and other ethnicminority businesses to overcome the socialbarriers they face as well as the barriers toeffective communication.Any example of a range of public, privateand voluntary agencies coming together toprovide a comprehensive document such asthis should be recognised and praised as anexample to others of what can be achievedthrough co-operation, and teamwork. Iwould like to congratulate all those whohave contributed to this report, for acomprehensive, thoughtful document whichgives us not only much to be proud of butalso targets to achieve.Anna Lo, MLA