Commission seeks final advice from local people on Integration and cohesion
If you were in charge for a day, what would you do to help people from your
neighbourhood get on better?
That is the key question being asked by the Commission on Integration and
Cohesion, to help them understand what the barriers to integration and
cohesion are in Britain.
The Commission, set up by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly last year to
look at the barriers to integration and cohesion, has 4 weeks until it has
to consider all the evidence it has gathered before delivering its final
recommendations to Government in June - but Chair, Darra Singh has
today called for local people and families including neighbours, brothers
and sisters, parents, aunties, uncles and grandparents to answer a final
key question - 'If you were in charge for a day, what would you do
to help people from your neighbourhood get on better?
Darra Singh said,
"There are many positive things about having communities that include
a mix of people. We know that it reduces prejudices and brings greater
understanding and trust. But we are also aware that in some places there is
friction between different groups. And we need to understand more about why
this is happening.
"In my time as Chair the Commission has met with over 500
organisations, policy makers and service providers. But I need to
hear more from individuals.
"That is why I am directly asking local people with local experiences
to get in touch, so that your views can be included into the Commissions
final recommendations - you have until 16th May to respond to the
Commissions question - what would you do if you were in charge for a
day?"
Join the debate and answer the Commission's question online at http://forum.communities.gov.uk/cohesion [external
link] - this online debate has now closed but the link can
still be used to view posts and comments. Alternatively, responses
can be sent via the CIC Secretariat coic@communities.gsi.gov.uk. Or
you can write to the Commission Secretariat at: The Commission on
Integration and Cohesion, Seventh Floor, Eland House, Bressenden Place,
London, SW1E 5DU.
Notes to Editors
This Press Notice applies to England.
1. The Commission is an independent body chaired by Darra Singh, Chief
Executive of Ealing Council, set up by Communities and Local Government in
August 2006.
2. The Commission will report back to Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly in
June 2007.
3. Darra Singh was appointed chair of the Commission in June 2006. The
other 13 commissioners were announced on 24 August 2006. They are: Michael
Keith, Nargis Khan, Hamza Vayani, Leonie McCarthy, Frank Hont, Harriet
Crabtree, Ed Cox, Sam Tedcastle, Steve Jordan, Decima Francis, Steve
Douglas, Ebrahim Adia, Ramesh Kallidai. The Commission is currently
undertaking a significant programme of consultation and public meetings and
events across the country.
4. Today's news release is issued by the Commmission on Integration and
Cohesion via the Communities and Local Government media network.
Press telephone enquiries: 020 7944 8033 (Out of hours: 020 7944 5945)
Email: press.office@communities.gov.uk
Public telephone enquiries: 020 7944 4400
