A summary of the report from the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain.

In 1997 Runnymede established a Commission to consider the political and cultural implications of the changing diversity of British people. It set up five task forces to specialise in each of the following areas: democratic institutions, culture, families, employment, and safety and justice.

The commission's remit was to analyse the current state of multi-ethnic Britain and propose ways of countering racial discrimination and disadvantage, making Britain a confident and vibrant multicultural society at ease with its rich diversity.

The commission, chaired by Lord Bhikhu Parekh, was made up of 23 distinguished individuals drawn from many community backgrounds and different walks of life, and with a long record of active academic and practical engagement with race-related issues in Britain and elsewhere. They each brought to their task different views and sensibilities and, after a good deal of discussion, reached a consensus.

The three-year project reviewed the public philosophy regarding ethnic minority communities and has made policy recommendations targeted at government, local government and other levels of leadership. The Parekh Report (as it is titled) published its findings and recommendations in October 2000.