Today I attended a conference at the Civic Centre in Hounslow - 'A Window on Extremism Conference' - led superbly by the Council Leader, Peter Thompson.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the youngest member of the House of Lords and the Shadow Cabinet member for Community Cohesion, gave a very personal speech on how to build cohesion in the UK. Using her own life journey, she talked about the need for us to unite around local issues, having a shared language, learning British history and empowering local communities.
We then went to see this in action - finding out the issues that the ethnic communities face and the support that is given to them. The Hounslow Racial Equality Council gave us an overview of the projects that they manage and the help that the Hounslow Asian Community Advice Service gives to local people. We then went to see an Asian women's group in Montague Hall - a wonderful group of women who gave us a warm welcome with music and song. Sayeeda spoke to them in several languages and although I hadn't a clue what she was saying, I am sure it was all good!
Community cohesion is about understanding each other, being at ease with one another, learning to trust each other, working together and feeling a sense of belonging. In the large group of Asian women today, I felt I belonged.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the youngest member of the House of Lords and the Shadow Cabinet member for Community Cohesion, gave a very personal speech on how to build cohesion in the UK. Using her own life journey, she talked about the need for us to unite around local issues, having a shared language, learning British history and empowering local communities.
We then went to see this in action - finding out the issues that the ethnic communities face and the support that is given to them. The Hounslow Racial Equality Council gave us an overview of the projects that they manage and the help that the Hounslow Asian Community Advice Service gives to local people. We then went to see an Asian women's group in Montague Hall - a wonderful group of women who gave us a warm welcome with music and song. Sayeeda spoke to them in several languages and although I hadn't a clue what she was saying, I am sure it was all good!
Community cohesion is about understanding each other, being at ease with one another, learning to trust each other, working together and feeling a sense of belonging. In the large group of Asian women today, I felt I belonged.
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