Along with a long series of ethnic minority representatives, Romanians in the North-East of Scotland were for the first time present at the Ethnic Minority Forum discussions in Peterhead, on the 21st of June. The objective of the gathering was to set the equality agenda for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, with a focus on community safety, housing, and education, as well as health, housing and the voluntary sector - in partnership with city and shire authorities.

The event attracted high profile speakers such as the Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertson, and  the Director of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Ros Micklem, who travelled for the event from Glasgow.  However, the most important part of the day was spent in group discussions on the priorities and challenges perceived by members of the communities in the North-East of Scotland, with respect to the different headings of the equality agenda. It was highly interesting to see how the various views and experiences so often converged, but also, how individual and varied experiences informed and reshaped priorities. In general terms, a strong component of the discussions was the need to educate all communities in our local areas to respect one another, to support young people towards socialisation and achievement, to increase the availability of affordable housing and support the voluntary sector through direct involvement by individuals from all backgrounds and ages, as well as through easier access through funding.

However, beyond the opportunity for all to express their views and concerns, this excellently organised event gave participants a chance to share their experiences with one another, and make new friends from an impressive array of diverse backgrounds. 

Daimler has chosen the south Hungarian city of Kecskemet as the location for an €800m ($1.24bn, £624m) plant to manufacture two new vehicles in its bottom-end A and B classes.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, came as a surprise as the German group had been expected to locate its first plant in Central and Eastern Europe in either Romania or Poland. Hungary, which has higher labour costs and tax rates, had not been regarded as a serious contender.