Definition of Social Cohesion
4. There are diverging views on the definition of
community cohesion, but there is general agreement about the features
a cohesive community should display. Rodney Green, the Chief Executive
of Leicester City Council felt there was a need for honest dialogue
within communities about cultural differences:
"I think a cohesive community is a community
that has naturally many cross-links, where people from different
race, age, background, feel free and happy to mix together in
housing, in education, in leisure facilities. One test of that
in my experience in Leicester is the willingness and ability to
talk frankly and openly face-to-face about quite sensitive issues.
If your language in a community is very politically correct, if
you are treading on thin ice all the time and always being polite,
that is not a cohesive community; it is a careful community."[2]
5. Gareth Daniel, the Chief Executive of Brent Council
focused on the benefits to be gained when a community can enjoy
and capitalise on the diversity of varied cultures within it:
"We celebrate diversity in West London, we are
not frightened by it, we are not scared of it, we celebrate it,
and it is one of the strengths of the area. When you are trying
to market what is a successful and relatively buoyant economy
in West London, the fact that West London has a very multinational
workforce, major headquarters of international companies based
there, the very cosmopolitan nature of the workforce is itself
quite a compelling factor driving inward investment in the area,
and we think that is a strength. Also we celebrate one another's
religions and cultures. In Brent, for example, we celebrate the
Jewish festival of Hanukkah, we celebrate the Muslim festivals
of Eid, everybody celebrates Diwali, whatever their religion,
in West London. There is a sense in which we own one another's
cultures and we have actively provided opportunities for engagement
between communities, and that has been done actively, it has not
happened by default. I think the political parties of all persuasions
deserve some recognition for the leadership they have shown in
that."[3]
6. Several other witnesses commented on the benefits
to be gained from sharing in the diverse cultures within their
towns. The submission by the West London Community Pathfinder
Initiative said:
"The migrants' arrival over several decades
has also provided the local authorities and other public sector
organisations with the chance to develop links with as wide range
and number of community organisations, faith and refugee groups
and encourage and celebrate the diversity of each of the different
cultures. This is particularly evident in the festivals that are
often hosted by the local authorities working in close partnership
with community and faith organisations."[4]
However, Trevor Phillips, the Chairman of the Commission
for Racial Equality, criticised the language used.
"I dislike the term "community cohesion",
frankly. I think it lacks clarity. I think we are beginning to
talk more about the term "an integrated society" because
in order to advance a solution - which is what I think community
cohesion is supposed to be - we have first to understand what
it is you are trying to remedy. My view is that we are trying
to remedy some of the fractures in our society. Some of those
are economically driven; some are driven by other kinds of difference
and division independent of economics."[5]
7. The Committee accepted the Local Government Association/Home
Office's definition that a cohesive community is one where:
- there is a common vision and
a sense of belonging for all communities;
- the diversity of people's different backgrounds
and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued;
- those from different backgrounds have similar
life opportunities; and
- strong and positive relationships are being developed
between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in
schools and within neighbourhoods.[6]
8. The Committee felt that any cohesive society should
also demonstrate the ability to integrate people from different
ethnic backgrounds so that they can relate together in terms of
where they live, their education, employment, and social/recreation
spheres. The Committee decided to consider the broader issue of
social cohesion across the entire spectrum of society, rather
than confine it to the problems affecting particular communities.
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