community
...ttitudes towards people from different ethnic groups are hardening. 2 It has been suggested that a cohesive community3 is one where: ● 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; and ● strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods. 1 Government initiatives Since last summer the government has set up an interdepartmental ministerial group on public order and community cohesion. Within the Home Office the Community Cohesion Unit oversees initiatives on building community cohesion. In addition to the ministerial group, there are several advisory groups and taskforces such as the Community Cohesion Review Team. In responding to the challenge facing us, the government has focused its attentions on regenerating communities, improving public services and raising school standards. ● An extra £7million was made available by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU) and the Home Office to help groups and individuals run additional summer activities. ● Regional coordinators have been appointed in the nine Government Office regions in England. In turn, they have deployed community facilitators to foster dialogue within and between communities in areas which are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, community conflict. ● At a national level the government will assess the impact What is community cohesion? In a recent report by the CRE, community cohesion is set against the following background: Britain today has 56 million people, speaking over 300 different languages, and practising at least 14 different faiths. It could be a richly diverse and stable society. However, the disturbances in summer 2001 suggest that diversity is dividing communities in some places, that people from different ethnic groups have little to do with each other, and that attitudes towards people from different ethnic groups are hardening. 2 It has been suggested that a cohesive community3 is one where: ● 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 ...