The BHA ran a successful seminar yesterday exploring the issues regarding the place of religion in community development and cohesion work. The sold out event brought together over 60 people working in the fields of community development, cohesion, ‘interfaith’ and equality to discuss issues behind the government-backed ‘interfaith week.’ The event was chaired by Polly Toynbee, President of the British Humanist Association.
Speakers included Professor A C Grayling, BHA Distinguished Supporter, who argued that religious groups should be treated the same as all civil society groups and never privileged above others, Dr Doreen Finneron of the Faith Based Regeneration Network, who argued for recognition of the fact that people were motivated to undertake community work by their faith and Dr Henry Tam from the Department of Communities and Local Government who highlighted the fact that the government seeks to engage with all citizens regardless of their religion or belief.
The second panel of the afternoon focussed on the place of religion in the theory and practice of community development. The first speaker, Professor Marj Mayo of Goldsmiths, University of London, stated that it should be recognised that there are conflicts of interest both within and between communities. Gabriel Chanan, a community development consultant, argued that there were many different definitions of the word ‘community’ and that this had to be recognised in development work. The final speaker, Pragna Patel from Southall Black Sisters, emphasised the importance of secular spaces within communities and argued that the government’s position was changing development from a multicultural to a multi-faith approach.
Pepper Harow, Campaigns Officer, stated, “The BHA was delighted to be able to run this event and open a dialogue about these issues. We are concerned that government policy is supporting ‘interfaith’ work above other types of more inclusive cohesion work without evidence that this is needed or wanted by communities. This event has allowed many different voices to be heard in the debate and has received positive feedback from many of the participants.”
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Read more about the BHA’s policy on ‘interfaith week.’
For further comment or information, contact Pepper Harow on 020 7462 4992.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.