Community Cohesion
Community Cohesion and Global Movement of Populations
The alienation of specific communities or individuals within society is the most obvious breeding ground for civil unrest in whatever form it takes. Alienation has been a significant characteristic of the recent British terrorism experience. This differs from the most recent experience in the US and to an extent in Russia, France and Spain; where terrorism has been more incursive in nature.
The specific nature of this type of terrorism in Britain needs to be challenged through challenging its causes - via community cohesion work and community engagement work - as well as fighting its effects via effective policing and other counter terrorism activities. Whether following a policy of multiculturalism or integration there is an essential recognition that society will need to be inclusive and better recognise and cater for 'difference' and provide access to its services and institutions. This is described in the Home Office report on community cohesion.
Defining Community Cohesion
The nationally accepted definition of ‘community cohesion’ and first published in the English and Welsh Local Government Association 2002 'Guidance on Community Cohesion' is:
“A cohesive community 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 is appreciated and positively valued
- those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities
- strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods"
This gives a broad framework, but it is important to understand the causes of some people leading separate lives in communities, fearing or condemning diversity, or having unequal life opportunities.
Community Cohesion and Crime
The development of UK public policy about community cohesion was firmly placed within the crime and justice sphere. The historic reasons for this are related to the impact on public and political awareness that the race riots of 1958 (Notting Hill), of 1981 (Brixton) and of 2001 (Oldham, Burnley and Bradford). This crime related stimulation for public policy debate and development, coupled with the the standard - xenophobic - response to the movement of populations, shunted the issues into a siding reserved for troublesome issues and the hard to resolve. There is no doubt that, at the margins of community cohesion are alienation, youth crime and violent extremism (that is why this page appears in this area of the site and can be referenced to youth crime and especially to youth violent crime). However, community cohesion is essentially a social issue and not a criminal one.
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Cohesion Links
This 'toolkit' for higher education colleges provides information about what can cause violent extremism, about preventative actions taking place locally and nationally and about where colleges can get additional information and advice.
Community Cohesion Guidance for Local Authorities
This guidance provides evidence and arguments that can be used by local authorities as a basis for mainstreaming or embedding community cohesion in other areas of service delivery and with other local organisations.
The Runnymede Trust: Community Cohesion
The Trust is a campaigning and research NGO specialising in 'multi ethnic policy issues'. This report deals with community cohesion.
Community Cohesion – an action guide
A guide produced by the Local Government Association for England and Wales (PDF format).
Community Cohesion & Community Conflict Resolution
Web pages from the UK government Neighbourhood Renewal Unit.
The front page of the the community cohesion resource from the IDeA.
Passport to Community Engagement
The last of the Crime Reduction Centre's Passport series aimed to help CDRPs and DATs engage with those living in their local area.
Community Engagement Good Practice Seminar
Report of a seminar held in Coventry on 15 January 2004 including keynote speakers and notes of the workshops.
MPA: Issues - Community engagement - Counter-Terrorism
This resource is from the Issues' section of the Metropolitan Police Authority website. This section contains information relating to Counter-Terrorism.
The Role of Muslim Identity Politics in Radicalisation
An abridged working study on the role of Muslim identity politics in radicalisation leading to violent extremism.
Social Cohesion in Diverse Communities
This JRF study explores the relationships between new and established communities in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in Moss Side in Manchester and North Tottenham in London
East European Immigration and Community Cohesion
A study profiling how their presence affects community cohesion.
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