220 likes | 754 Views
Community Cohesion:. What is cohesion? Interdependent principles – linking cohesion to equalities and diversity National context Local context LGA guidance Why facilitate community cohesion? Potential barriers and possible solutions What are we doing now? One Wrexham Key documents
E N D
Community Cohesion: • What is cohesion? • Interdependent principles – linking cohesion to equalities and diversity • National context • Local context • LGA guidance • Why facilitate community cohesion? • Potential barriers and possible solutions • What are we doing now? • One Wrexham • Key documents • The way forward? GG
What is cohesion? • Ongoing process requiring long-term commitment • Concept – ability to come together around shared values and beliefs • Whole communities • Includes race and ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, faith and language GG
Interdependent principles: Recognition Equalities Community cohesion Respect Diversity GG
National Context: • Riots in northern England towns • Cantle • Local Government Association, Action Guide GG
Local Context: • Caia Park riots • Changing demography • Asylum Seekers and Refugees • Migrant Workers • BME community GG
LGA guidance • There is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities; • The diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued; • Those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities; • Strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds. [Home Office 2001, LGA Guidance 2005] GG
Why facilitate community cohesion? • Moral obligation • Legal responsibility • Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 • Human Rights Act 1998 • Welsh Language Act 1993 • Disability Discrimination Act 1995etc ………. • Good business sense • WCBC Corporate priority GG
Potential barriers and possible solutions: Potential barriersPossible solutions Size, scope and Targeted action; timescales Incremental improvements; Myths, rumour and Communication and the media information. GG
What are we doing now? Community Cohesion Co-ordination Group Gypsy + Traveller Strategic Group Anti race-hate campaign Migrant Worker Action Plan Asylum Seekers + Refugees Strategy Group Gypsy + Traveller MAF GG
One Wrexham: • CRE Gypsy and Irish Traveller action plan • Migrant Worker Action Plan, • Croeso, Business Week, Information booklet, Mythbusters • One Wrexham Charter of Belonging GG
Key priorities for 2007/8 • Roll-out of Charter of Belonging • Anti race hate campaign [including tension monitoring processes] • Community Cohesion Strategy and action plan • Key stakeholders • Clarity about our vision for cohesion GG
Key documents: • Cantle report – www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs2/comm_cohesion.html • ‘Improving Opportunity strengthening Society’ – www.homeoffice.gov.uk • ‘Building Community Cohesion into Area Based Initiatives’ – www.communitycohesion.gov.uk • LGA ‘Community Cohesion – an action guide’ – www.lga.gov.uk GG
The way forward? • How and why the Community Strategy Partnership could take forward community cohesion and migrant worker issues as part of their core work during 2007/8 GG