Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns is to take part in the National Assembly for Wales and Operation Black Vote Assembly Member Shadowing Scheme.
The scheme, launched at the Senedd on October 10, involves nine BME people from all over Wales shadowing Assembly Members from all four main parties. The project, aimed at encouraging those from BME communities to participate in the democratic process and increasing the number of BME AMs, follows on from successful MP, Magistrate and Councillor shadowing schemes.
Shazia Awan from Cardiff will shadow Angela for a minimum of eight days over a six-month period in order to gain experience of life as an Assembly Member and to help Assembly Members understand the needs of their BME constituents.
Shazia will also become an OBV Community Ambassador, promoting democratic engagement within the BME communities in Cardiff and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Angela Burns said: "I am very pleased to be working with Shazia on this project. BME communities remain under-represented at the Assembly and I am committed to doing everything I can to redress this imbalance. I hope that she will help me to better engage with the BME population in my constituency and show them that their participation in the democratic process is valued."