Ground-breaking regional conference to be held in Bradford
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, and Karen Chouhan, Director of Equanomics UK, will be joining West Yorkshire policy makers, government agencies and community organisations in Bradford on 3 June to discuss community cohesion and civil liberties.
Jointly organised by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), JUST West Yorkshire, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) and OXFAM, Community Cohesion: Challenging the Politics of 'Us' and 'Them', will see the keynote speakers discuss the community cohesion policy and assess its impact on Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and civil liberties in the UK.
Ratna Lachman, Director of JUST West Yorkshire, said: “The debate on community cohesion and the attrition of our civil liberties is urgent. Currently BME communities in Yorkshire feel under siege and believe that government policy and legislation unjustifiably targets and criminalises them disproportionately. The event offers a unique opportunity to challenge current discourses and offer real solutions that promote good community relations in the region.”
Maureen Grant, Development Officer with JRCT, said: "'Community Cohesion' is a difficult and contested concept. We want to explore how it is really working in local communities in the north of England. We also want to foster dialogue amongst a wide range of individuals and organisations - because we all have a role to play in shaping the debate for creating cohesive communities, equality and a racially just society."
Sue Smith, Senior Policy Adviser for Oxfam added: "We work in the UK and internationally to tackle poverty and discrimination. At present community cohesion policy can make disadvantage worse. This conference is a chance to build on the most positive parts of community cohesion to create a more equal society."
Taking place at The Aagrah Building, Bradford, from 10am to 4pm, the conference will bring together policy makers, local and regional government agencies, statutory bodies and voluntary and community sector organisations from the region. A series of workshops will enable participants to join in and shape the debate.
Bana Gora, Bradford Manager for JRF, said: "In all our work, we look to reflect the diversity of the UK population and learn from others to find practical and realistic solutions, focussing on the needs of disadvantaged people.
This event is a unique opportunity for people to get involved with organisations at the forefront of addressing poverty, racial justice, civil liberties and inequalities. We are eager for participants to speak openly at the conference and look forward to hearing some honest viewpoints."
For further information please contact Aisha Iqbal of JUST West Yorkshire on 01274 542222 or email admin@justwestyorkshire.co.uk.
