Merton Community Cohesion Project

INTRODUCTION
 
 Among some of the pressing challenges facing UK communities in the 21st century is their ability to respond to multiculturalism and their willingness to bridge the widening economic gap between their diverse communities.  Whether it is the racial, ethnic, social, cultural or religious arena, minorities have proved an important asset in the development of the UK. 
 
Merton has traditionally enjoyed strong ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.  One hundred and sixty languages are spoken, 25% of its residents are from minority ethnic groups and they fall into a variety of social and cultural mix.  Merton is gradually working towards the community cohesion definition outlined in the Goverment's "Denham Report", which states:
 
"Community Cohesion requires that there is a shared sense of belonging based on common goals and core social values, respect for differences (ethnic, cultural and religious) and acceptance of the reciprocal rights and obligations of community members working together for the common good".
THE RESPONSE
 
AECHO was one of a number of local organisations who responded and received funding from MLSP to "carry out projects which promoted community cohesion or good community relations across the diverse race, cultural, faith and age groups.  The projects should offer opportunities for people to get to know each other whilst sharing common interests; improve understanding; build trust and remove any social barriers".
 
A deadline of seven weeks was given in which to plan and complete its project.
 
 
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
 
We used as our bench mark, the following definitions of community cohesion:
 
"Committed to creating one nation - a country where every colour is a good colour, every member of every part of society is able to fulfil their potential.  Racism is unacceptable and counteracted.  Everyone is treated according to their needs and rights; everyone recognises their responsibilities.  Racial diversity is celebrated."  (The Runnymede Trust)
 
"One nation but understood as a community of communities and a community of citizens, not a place of oppressive uniformity based on a single substantive culture."  (Prof. Lord Bhikhu Parekh)
 
From the outset, we wanted our project to reflect the views of the young people of Merton.  Having listened to them over many years and witnessed their frustration at not being "listened to", we felt that this was an opportunity to have them actively involved in issues directly affecting them and their communities.  We wanted them to come, not only from different ethnicities and religions, but from diferent social backgrounds as well.
 
The young people who participated came from 10 nationalities with ages ranging from 12 - 18.  Although efforts were made, we were unable to attract young people from a few Minority Ethnic communities.  This could have been because of the short notice given but it seemed also that in some cases, cultural and academic considerations took preference over any other area of the young people's lives.
The Group Hard at Work
KEY POINTS AND BARRIERS
 
These are some of the key points and barriers which were brought up during the project.
 

KEYPOINTS

BARRIERS
  • Justice and equality are what young people see as central to strong cohesive communities.
  • Segregated patterns of living, restricted choices about where to live and socialise.
  • Closer links needed between policy makers and the yound people.  Young people should be at the centre of decision making.
  • Lack of confidence, the fear of being misunderstood prevents young people from coming forward.  Decision making process not "youth friendly".
  • Communities break down when laws and values of society are not properly explained or understood.
  • Inadequate education in a language people can understand.  Simple oral and visual aids required.
  • Emphasis placed on law and punishment, not enough on the disaffection which foster resentment.
  • Law enforcement machinery/officers seen as "enemies to be challenged".  Areas of suspicion and mistrust exist.
  • More interaction needed between Black Minority Ethnic (BME) groups the,selves.  Trust and respect needed.
  • Some BME groups not "open".  Emphasis seems to be placed on preserving individual cultures and traditions rather than on community realtions.
  • Whilst initiatives should have "fun" built into them, they should also stretch the minds of young people to their full potential.
  • Young people, the beneficiaries of change, are not sufficiently involved in research and planning initiatives.
  • Training needed for young people to develop their skills in challenging oppression and in strengthening their communities.
  • Insufficient citizenship training in schools, colleges as well as an awareness of what constitutes a good citizen.

The Group Working Hard
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • The setting up of  a BME Forum to look at issues of co-operations between them and ways of feeding into the various Merton Community Cohesion programmes.
  • More information to be made available to all young people via schools, colleges, youth organisations religious institutions, to encourage their participation in decision making ares affecting their communities.
  • Establishing a school twinning programme which encourages greater integration among young people of different cultural and social backgrounds.
  • Young people to be seen at forefront of community relations in road shows and presentations.  Also more workshops for them in understanding and dealing with difference.
  • More training for frontline staff to recongnise and respect difference.  Training for statutory workers and voluntary organizations on how to welcome new migrants, show them around and challenge negative reactions to them.  This is to counter reports of bad treatment of young people and others at social security & jobs centre offices.
  • Council to take more positive steps in supporting schemes such as Friendly Neighbourhood Schemes (Welcoming newcomers to an area); Allotments Schemes (plots allocated for community gardening); a Belongling Charter (local people sign up to live by its principles); Intergenerational understanging where both sides learn from each other.
  • Local funds to help young people discover and explore their cultural heritage with a view to sharing them with the wider community.

 
VOICES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE
 
"You need to respect people before they respect you".
 
"We must learn from each other and teach each other".
 
"No one needs to drop their values in order to fit in to their community".
 
"We have to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to others".
 
"Stereotyping people - and its mostly young people who are stereotyped - is unfair".
 
"Just because I put on a hoodie doesn't mean I am a bad person".
 
"Education is needed.  There is too much fear and ignorance".
 
"The Goverment and the Council should do a lot more to bring people together.  It will not just happen".
 
"There is no trust anymore.  This needs to change".
Groups: