Library : Research - Community Cohesion

Community Engagement and Community Cohesion - Joseph Rowntree Foundation, June 2008 This study explores the challenges of bringing together the government’s agendas for community cohesion and for community engagement. In particular it examines ways of enabling new arrivals to become involved, promoting solidarity and cohesion rather than competition and conflict between newer and more established communities. Key points from the research include: The views of new arrivals, as well as those of established communities, need to be heard and resources allocated with visible fairness; Informal networks can be valuable as a way for local authorities to reach new arrivals, particular those that may be ‘harder to reach’, such as women or young people. The research recognises that traditional leaders are not always representative of communities’ views; Whilst recognising that different communities may share common barriers to participation, the diversity of new communities must also be acknowledged; Concerns about racism and prejudice were identified as barriers affecting engagement in structures of governance; Barriers are exacerbated by the fragmentation of governance structures; and Community engagement structures are required at all levels, not just the neighbourhood level.
Immigration, faith and cohesion - JRF, March 2008 This report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, written by a team at the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society at Oxford University, sets out to discover what factors contribute to, or undermine community cohesion in three urban areas in England with large migrant and Muslim populations.
Immigration and social cohesion in the UK - JRF, July 2008.This research looks at six sites in the UK with different experiences of migration and post-industrial transformations and comprising different populations of long-term residents and new immigrants. Between them, they illustrate various contexts of social cohesion in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Key findings include:
Most people felt that social cohesion was about negotiating the right balance in expressing difference and unity in local areas, rather than expecting complete consensus on values and priorities;
The arrival of new immigrants could highlight the resilience of some communities, or the profound disconnections between people, groups and institutions in others;
The researchers conclude that the limited opportunities and multiple deprivations of the long-term settled population in parts of UK towns and cities undermine social cohesion. To ensure cohesion, the impact of social and economic changes needs to be addressed as well as how people relate to each other.
Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society: One Year on - a progress report on the Government's strategy for Race Equality and Community Cohesion Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society was the cross-government strategy launched in January 2005 to increase race equality and community cohesion. This report provides an insight into the work and activities undertaken over the last year towards achieving equality in the key public services; education, the labour market, housing, health and the criminal justice system. It also sets out progress in building community cohesion.
Public Spaces and Social Relations in East London - Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Aug 2006 This report draws on qualitative research in a multi-ethnic area of East London to look at how public spaces are experienced. The study examined the role of public spaces as social arenas, their potential for enabling social contact between different ethnic groups and enhancing individual well-being.