Community Cohesion in Diverse Britain

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road

Ted CantleAssociate Director, IDeA

Professor, Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo)

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road…..

…. ‘speed neighbour dating’ in Barking and Dagenham.

Is this the latest twist in the road….

…..Or, the way ahead?

• Because it is necessary

• And appears to work

• And it is countering prejudice and changing attitudes

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road

• A rose tinted picture of the 60s – not so swinging

• The 1965 and 68 Act were intended to promote ‘good relations’

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road• But focus was on rights and justice• ‘Black’ represented a political movement, not

just an ethnicity• But became a defensive focus on process,

micro managing behaviour, not a celebration of ‘cultural pluralism’

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road

• We were defensive – and minorities needed to be defended

• Though, also some creative traits – ethnic monitoring, positive action, contract compliance, etc

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road• And the processes did succeed in some

respects, though inequality remains• And perhaps at the expense of embedding

parallel paths, and separate provision• And failed to challenge underlying prejudices;

unwillingness to debate seen as ‘correctness’

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road• 2001 Reports found ‘parallel lives’ • But also that no value had been placed on

diversity• And lack of leadership, unwilling to challenge

prejudices• Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela did

‘vision’ – where was ours?

Multiculturalism: The Ever Winding Road

• Since 2001, pace of change even greater – • Broader diversity – 300 languages in London

schools• More population mobility and ‘churn’• New patterns of identity; growth of diasporas

Multiculturalism, Identity and ‘Difference’

• From ‘race’ to ethnicity, to ever finer grades of ethno national culture and faith (and ‘Black’ no longer represents solidarity)

• But ‘difference’ is in us all – gender, (dis)ability, orientation, health, age ….

• Make the connections – the basis of EHRC

Multiculturalism and ‘Difference’• Not lose focus on any one strand but recognise they are entwined, particularly in insular communities – don’t dismiss - challenge and provide shared experiences.

• Diversity is good, but not all ‘difference’ is tolerable or should be respected

• And ‘mixed race’ has mixed response

Little learning from other countries• Multiculturalism in Europe …and the growth of

the far right, (not liberal in any strand)• 2008 is year of ICD• Putting up ‘two way street’ signs – eg foreign

workers debate; tourism (70m from UK); international students; 2nd homes etc

• The inevitable consequence of globalisation – what happened to internationalism?

Learning the lessons of the past• Underlying inequalities remain• Micro managing behaviour has limitations –

need to change attitudes and values too• Depends upon positive view of diversity and

recognition of shared future, which• In turn, depends upon tackling the fear of

difference and interaction with all difference

Learning the lessons• Targeting particular communities creates sense

of unfairness all round – even when justified by need!

• But also misses the opportunity to create shared experiences across different communities – thematic programmes, tackle need at the same time (cf CRE Regeneration report)

Breaking the Circle

Racism and discrimination creates…..

…..poverty and disadvantage which perpetuate….

…..power, advantage; prejudice and stereotypes, and….

….motivates racism and discrimination

Community Cohesion

• Common vision and sense of belonging

• Diversity positively valued

• Life opportunities more equal

• Interaction with people from different backgrounds, in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods

Cohesion has local dimensions• What does it mean in Liverpool, Cornwall,

Lincolnshire & London boroughs• but no longer simply about ‘race’; travellers, new

migrants, - and all ‘difference’ – mental illness, people with disabilities, lesbian and gay…

• Need ensure interaction with ‘segregated’ and insular communities

Managing the interface • Between old and new residents; Between BME

communities; some longer term rivalries• Putting investment into commonalities• ‘Bottom up’ sense of place, with interaction to

develop shared values• Making it sustainable agenda – building it in to

civil society and social capital

The Two Great Challenges:

Learning to live with the planet

And

Learning to live with each other

- and they are connected

Understanding our communities

• Mapping community dynamics – change in number & settlement patterns

• Understanding perceptions & realities • Anticipating disaffection & tensions• Community leaders – ‘gateways’ or ‘gatekeepers’ • Structural changes & funding regimes to encourage

people & organisations to co-operate

Understanding social capital • Institutional & social networks which enable

communities to function effectively• What capital exists now; Is it affected by population

churn & diversity? • How do we build & create ‘bridging’ social capital?• How do we sustain it – build newcomers into civil

society, develop pathways

Working across communities • Examples such as school twinning, sports & arts

programmes, inter-faith networks, youth projects • All help to create shared experiences, shared spaces,

to develop understanding, trust & shared values

Building partnerships (not just about policy, regulation and process)

• Creating diversity advantage – creative and entrepreneurial cities

• Local employers; health sector; universities and colleges; community organisations etc

• Local celebrities & role models – e.g. sports personalities

• Role of education – and wider educative role• Values, symbols & celebrations

A approach to managing neighbourhoods… • Coping with additional population & identity

issues; prepared to debate real issues• Tackle inequalities and injustice• Responding to resource needs – in schools,

health & housing• Manage settlement of new communities & work

with existing residents• Anticipate & manage conflicts & disputes

As well as…… • Cope with extremism – of all descriptions• Provide a sense of belonging• Initiate cross-cultural programmes• Understand social capital & bridging relationships

between communities• Leadership LA and partners bringing together various

programmes• New Skills – and requires political leadership and will

And……

To build upon success and create a positive vision of the future

Ted.cantle@idea.gov.uk

Book: Community Cohesion, A New Framework for Race and Diversity, published by Palgrave Macmillan