Cohesion and Integration
And Religion Dec 2008
Anne McMaster
Contents
●Vision
●Demographics
●Equalities Assembly
●Equality and Diversity Scheme
●Cohesion and Integration
Vision for the Council
To bring the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant
and attractive city to all the people of Leeds
Leeds Demographics
●715,000 residents
●15% of the population are over 65 and 20% areunder 16
●10.8% of the population are from black and minorityethnic communities
●51.7% of the population are female
●44,000 people of working age, are not inemployment and claim related benefits
●7% of the working age population receives incapacitybenefit
Leeds Demographics
●69.9% stated Christian as their religion
●3% Muslim
●1.2% Jewish
●1.1% Sikh
●0.6% Hindu
●0.2% Buddhist
Cohesion and Integration andEquality
●Can’t have one without the other
Equalities Assembly
Developing:
●7 equality hubs
●Equality champions/representatives network
●Engagement with champions/hubs
Equality and Diversity Scheme
Involvement with faith communities indicated:
●More equal funding for different religious groups andassociated events
●Hold multi cultural events in the community
●Info and comms via religious buildings andcommunity groups
●Need to be positive about different religious festivals
●Need to promote basic human rights
●Recognise that 25% of people in Leeds state theyhave no religion
New Definition of Cohesion andIntegration
Our vision of an integrated and cohesive community is based onthree foundations:
●People from different backgrounds having similar lifeopportunities
●People knowing their rights and responsibilities
●People trusting one another and trusting local institutionsto act fairly
●And three key ways of living together:
●A shared future vision and sense of belonging
●A focus on what new and existing communities have incommon, alongside a recognition of the value of diversity
●Strong and positive relationships between people fromdifferent backgrounds
6 Priorities
●Leadership and community empowerment
●Sense of belonging and opportunities for all
●Preventing the problems of tomorrow
●Children and young people
●Communication and information
●Supporting services to make cohesion andintegration part of policies and practices
Elements of Cohesion and Integration
Cohesionandintegration
Mapping communities,changing demographics,migration and newcommunities
Strong leadership,developing a vision forthe area, communityempowerment andengagement
Intergenerational andinterfaith opportunities
Meaningful interaction and“bridging” activities:
Schools
Sport, culture and leisure
Work
Housing
Shared spaces
Preventing theproblems of tomorrowthrough conflictresolution and planningfor responding in acrisis - communityintelligence monitoring,preventing violentextremism
Promoting and celebratingequality and diversity
Strong communicationsstrategy, counteringmyths, working withlocal media
.
Thank you
Any Questions
Contact: Anne McMaster
Phone: 0113 247 4191
E mail: anne.mcmaster@leeds.gov.uk