Beyond the Commission on Integration and Cohesion The future for good race relations Nick Johnson Director of Policy Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo) Tuesday 20 th May 2008

Key part of public policy debate 2001 disturbances and Cantle report Diversity & solidarity debate Multiculturalism vs Integration CRE’s integration agenda 7/7 and PVE agenda Commission on Integration & Cohesion

But where have we got to? Socially Public opinion Data Opinion Politically

A changing world….. In m people lived outside the home country, now 180m 600,000 Brits live in Spain, more in other countries (200,000 NZ); 3m with second homes Travel: 25m tourists to UK Globalisation in many forms: international students, brands, internet etc.

But are we comfortable with diversity? Riots in France, Australia and other countries Demands to limit migration Rise of extremism Divisions & tensions within communities & neighbourhoods More change to come

How is Britain doing? ‘White flight’ from cities to rural areas - changing population composition Schools becoming more polarised Persistent inequalities BNP vote consistent – c.10% Not dealing well with migration politically and practically

Worsening public attitudes

Upsurge in admitted racial prejudice

Disagree/Agree that Britain is losing its culture London Scotland E Midlands South East North West Wales Eastern South West Yorks&Humber North East

“A political struggle for the correct position rather than (or in addition to) a technical struggle with recalcitrant numerical data” The Index Wars

Between Census data shows that the White population reduced by: 43,000 in Manchester 90,000 in Birmingham 340,000 in London Over the same period, the BME population increased by: 15,000 in Manchester 58,000 in Birmingham 600,000 in London

Government paints positive picture 82% say that area is a place where people of different backgrounds get on well together But… Social capital measures hint at a different story London scores 84% on the above rating Yet just 21 % know, speak to & trust neighbours

And…

A polarised debate Sleepwalking to segregation Parallel Lives Too diverse? Sleepwalking to simplicity Myth of segregation

An emerging consensus?

Key components Need to focus on uniting not dividing Meaningful interaction is key Citizenship needs to be promoted Inequality and deprivation are crucial factors Local solutions

Migration not well-managed Managed migration in economic terms but little attention to social & community Resources conflicts are real, data limited and ‘churn’ under-estimated Focus on rural areas, new for migration Reinforcing segregation?

Super Diversity: Managing the interface Between and within communities No longer a black v white issue Between generations Conflict resolution and intervention Extremism Issue – and understanding diversity within communities

Cohesion and Integration are about Promoting a common sense of belonging Valuing diversity Tackling disadvantage and inequalities Promoting interaction in the workplace, schools and neighbourhoods

A new picture of ourselves

The challenge of cohesion What does it mean in Brighton, Bradford or Barking? And in rural areas too. Continue to tackle unequal life chances, poverty & disaffection Problem is poor housing, education, life chances not diversity And create a sense of belonging Stressing common good rather than individualism

Local Challenges Eliminate inequalities Break down segregated communities Weaken fear of difference Emphasis on ‘place making’ and ‘local citizenship’ ‘where you are’, not ‘where you are from’ Create a sense of belonging

Some vital measures Solving the data problem –mapping community dynamics – change in number & settlement patterns Structural changes & funding regimes –encourage people & organisations to co-operate English language provision Citizenship

People who settle in this country should have citizenship lessons about the British way of life % Agree% Disagree Net agree +% EMG All EMG All Immigrants to Britain who do not speak English should be made to learn English Base:All GB adults, aged 16+ (822) All EMG adults, aged 16+ (649)

Developing mixed communities Planning mixed communities – existing areas & new developments Thinking about employment and enterprise opportunities, cultural and other facilities Developing shared spaces

Working across communities Examples such as school twinning, sports & arts programmes, inter-faith networks, youth projects Create shared experiences, shared spaces, to develop understanding, trust & shared values Making it sustainable – social capital and civil society And making it mainstream – in schools, in regeneration schemes, in the workplace etc

Leadership -requires vision & political will

The Policy Framework Bring agendas together –Social capital, multiculturalism, integration, cohesion, equalities, citizenship, place- making etc… About how we live together –Equality of opportunity, meaningful interaction between people and active participation in society

The lessons Mainstream – cohesion must be core Must not ignore inequalities But more of a focus on bringing people together Through core services not add-on programmes Leadership and positive narrative