Bringing people together through community arts and creativity projects could help build more cohesive communities in the wake of this summer’s riots, according to British Future research.
‘Creating Connections’, a new report, finds a strong and partly untapped public appetite to do more, with 80% of people interested in participating in arts and creative activities – while only 53% did so over the last year. Getting more people involved in creative activities in their community can help address the urgent need to bridge divides in our society following the racist riots of the summer, the research argues.
Arts and creativity projects promote social mixing between people from different backgrounds, which experts say is crucial to breaking down fears and prejudices. Around half of those who have taken part in a creative arts activity over the last year said it helped them to meet people from different backgrounds.
The report calls on the government to ensure that the role of the creative arts is part of a new, comprehensive strategy on social connection and community cohesion in response to this summer’s violent racist disorder. It also highlights the important role that cultural programmes linked to major events – like VE Day 80 next year and the UK hosting the Euros football tournament in 2028 – can play in bringing people together across the nation.
Most of the public does not like the way in which the England flag has been dragged into polarised debates about identity and race, according to new research published today by British Future, one month out from St George's Day. [Thread]
Faith leaders urge Government to 'slow down and rethink' changes to settlement rules, in a letter published in The Guardian today 🧵
Angela Rayner has warned that the Labour government proposals to make it harder for migrants already in the UK to settle permanently are "un-British" and a "breach of trust" - BBC News report
Angela Rayner warns against 'un-British' immigration reforms
Most migrant workers will have to wait longer to qualify for permanent residence under the government's proposals.
www.bbc.co.uk
Faith leaders urge government to rethink settlement changes that “risk undermining” community cohesion [1/3]
Our @sundersays will be on @BBCRadio4 'The Week in Westminster' at 11 today discussing the new govt cohesion plan and definition of anti-Muslim prejudice
BBC Radio 4 - The Week in Westminster
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
www.bbc.co.uk
An independent commission examining inclusion and belonging in Newham – London's most diverse borough – has today published its final report, setting out recommendations to strengthen community connection and make the borough a national beacon of good practice [1/3]
"Her focus on so-called ‘pull-factors’ – an approach tried and tested without success by Conservative Home Secretaries before her – has been shown not to work." Our @sundersays on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's speech today.
The Modern Cockney Festival opens next week with events throughout March, including on the 16th marking the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.
More details at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/moderncockneyfestival
'From Diwali to Discord: What Happened to Leicester’s Shared Belonging?'
As a new report examines the 2022 Leicester unrest, our Avaes Mohammed speaks to people from South Asian communities in the city about what needs to change. [1/2]
"Rupert Lowe looks like creating a new BNP for the online age – a project doomed to fail," writes @sundersays for @easterneye [1/2]
