Citizenship and community cohesion
There has been much debate about the nature of community cohesion, what it is, how it can be fostered and how citizens relate to each other. This topic is one of many sensitive issues that may arise as part of citizenship education. Identities and communities are also key citizenship concepts to be explored with learners (see QCA guidance for post-16 citizenship).
Many recent commentators agree that young peple need the opportunity to discuss the issues relating to integration and cohesion and stress the importance of citizenship education. See Our Shared Future - the report of the Commission for Integration and Cohesion and Sir Keith Ajegbo's Diversity and Citizenship: Curriculum Review.
As a result of the curriculum review new programmes of study for citizenship are now available at key stage 3 and key stage 4 which include the key concept 'Identities and diversity: Living together in the UK' which will include exploration of community cohesion and how communities change over time. There is also a new duty on schools to promote community cohesion - the guidance for which build on the five Every Child Matters outcomes, especially 'making a positive contribution'.
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Materials
Our new pack entitled Moving forward together: citizenship learning for community cohesion builds on prevous materials entitled We all came here from somewhere: diversity, identities and citizenship which raises issues concerning identity in multiculutral British society, encourages discussion of local and national government policies, enables learners to consider and express their own identities and encourages discussion of suggestions for making society more inclusive.
The new Moving forward together pack contains activities to encourage learners to further explore what needs to be done, both at a policy level and through local actions, to make their communities more integrated and cohesive. The pack also encourages discussion of the meaning of the term 'community cohesion' and how it can be acheived. The materials are designed to engage young people in the debate about relevant issues, such as the impact of faith schools and the role of the media and to provide opportunities for young people to work with others to take some action that will benefit their communities.
We would encourage you to email us with ideas for other resources or case studies for this page. We would also welcome your feedback on our new Moving forward together pack. Download a feedback sheet here.
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Promoting community cohesion and preventing violent extremism
Colleges have been asked by the government to help tackle radicalisation and prevent extremism on two major fronts: through community education programmes and – particularly in the mixed-economy FHE colleges – with the promotion of academic freedom.
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and Association of College (AoC) launched a public consultation document on 11 February 2008 on the role of further education providers in promoting community cohesion, fostering shared values and preventing violent extremism. This document was sent directly to Principals and Chief Executives with the expectation for senior management teams and governing bodies to consult with
their staff, learner representative forums and students/learners as
appropriate in designing and implementing policies and procedures in
response.
The Department for Children, Families and Schools (DCSF) have also published a booklet Preventing Violent Extremism explaining the Government’s plans for countering violent extremism and a further booklet The Prevent Strategy as a guide to local partners.
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Further resources
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