New Event: Strengthening community cohesion in Wales
How can the next Welsh Government strengthen communities to build a more cohesive Wales?
Webinar: Wednesday 25th March 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Join us for the fourth webinar in our joint series with the Wales Centre for Public Policy. This webinar will build on WCPP’s work to support the Welsh Government’s Expert Group on Social Cohesion in identifying policy actions to strengthen community cohesion in Wales.
The next Welsh Government will come to office at a time of growing concern about division and polarisation in communities across Wales and the wider UK. Wales has experienced at least four major incidents that have affected social cohesion in the past three years alone, ranging from anti-immigrant protests to social media attacks against organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Strengthening social cohesion in this context will require coordinated action to tackle inequalities, (re)build trust in institutions, and support the local infrastructure that underpins positive connection within and between communities.
The next Senedd term will also bring specific challenges: responding to rising anti-migrant sentiment and online misinformation, while working within a devolution settlement where some key levers affecting cohesion remain reserved to the UK Government. At the same time, it presents an important opportunity to build on recent developments – including the recent Senedd inquiry into social cohesion and the establishment of the Expert Group on Social Cohesion – and rethink how social cohesion policy can more effectively support communities in Wales.
An expert panel of speakers will explore key areas such as community cohesion, rebuilding trust in institutions, and what role should the Welsh Government and local action play.
Confirmed speakers:
Jacqueline Broadhead: Director, Global Exchange on Migration and Diversity; Migration Oxford; Inclusive Cities
Raj Bhari: Associate at Belong: The Cohesion and Integration Network
Paul Davies: Community Cohesion Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council
Patrick Barron: Global Lead for Social Cohesion and Resilience, World Bank
The discussion will be followed by a live Q&A with the audience.
Be part of the discussion, sign up now.
Source: Institute of Welsh Affairs