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The second annual Agenda 2010 conference at Manchester Town Hall aimed to tackle racism and racial discrimination over ten years.

Agenda 2010 is a partnership led by Manchester City Council, Manchester Council for Community Relations and the Progress Trust and AAAPT Community Agency.

Since its launch in October 2000, many key public sector agencies in the city have signed up to support the Agenda 2010 programme and the strength of the partnership has grown.

The partnership was set up to close the gap between black and ethnic minority communities and other communities within the city. Issues have included redressing the real and perceived imbalance in health and social care, crime and disorder, education and employment.

Councillor Imran Rizvi, lead member on race Issues for Manchester City Council said: "Over the past year significant progress has been made, but we still need to work on making employment education, health services and social care more accessible to ethnic minority groups.

"It is important that we continue to work together to tackle racism and racial discrimination and to ensure that all citizens enjoy equality of opportunity in all areas of their lives."

The conference honours a commitment to report back each year on progress over the next 10 years.