Key Messages from Community Cohesion Workers
in Oldham 2003-04
The obstacles we face in Oldham in addressing
Community Cohesions are:
i. The one size fits all solution and quick
fix, short-term project funding issue. Community cohesion at the
heart of strategy not as an add on.
ii. A lack of understanding of what we are
trying to achieve, through a lack of grounding in the issue and
the removal of race within this agenda.
iii. The continued "events" driven
focus with no clear post event strategy. Often reaching for celebration
phase without consolidation of the achievements.
iv. The narrow focus, cohesion being about
Asian people and white working class people on estates.
And what would help our work:
I. Long term strategies long term funding
at an appropriate level.
II. Community cohesion at the heart of strategy
not as an add on.
III. Real cooperation between Statutory
and Voluntary, Community, Faith sector organizations with appropriate
funding support.
IV. Urban redevelopment strategies which
encourage people to move into less traditional areas.
V. Closer monitoring of people under ASBO's,
with tougher penalties for those who transgress.
VI. Real commitment and sign up from all,
particularly Government, local government, public and private
sector and white voluntary sector.
VII. Improved dialogue between government
and the streets.
Graham Bowman, Community
Empowerment Team Oldham and
Bing Findlater, Project
Manager, Afro-Caribbean Project Oldham and "Mutual"
Co-ordinator
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