Events

Faith, Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion

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15 December 2009

2:00 – 5:00pm
ippr, 30-32 Southampton Street, London WC2E 7RA

During the last 20 years there has been increased international migration into the UK. This population movement has profoundly altered the faith map of the UK, although it is important to acknowledge that the religious practices of the UK-born population are far from static. Polish migrants now comprise the second largest born-abroad group in the UK and make up a large proportion of the congregations of many Roman Catholic churches. The larger mosques are no longer dominated by those of Bangladeshi, India and Pakistani heritage, but now include substantial numbers of worshippers from countries such as Somalia, Algeria and Afghanistan. International migration has also brought new religions to the UK, including Aleviism, Mandaeism, Yezidism, as well as Coptic, Nestorian and Chaldean Christianity.

This seminar will present new data about how migration has changed the faith map of the UK.

Individual faith has the capacity to influence migrants’ experiences of integration as well as broader social cohesion. A number of faith communities, too, have initiated projects that aim to raise awareness among about migration and challenge public hostility to groups such as asylum-seekers. Yet within the context of integration and cohesion policy, government’s attitude towards faith communities is shaped by two apparently contradictory impulses. On the one hand, some in government are increasingly enthusiastic about the role of faith-based communities and charities to promote social capital in neighbourhoods and play an active role in community regeneration. CLG’s recent White Paper Communities in Control signalled an opening to the greater involvement of religious organisations in the delivery of some public services. On the other hand, however, some groups associated with particular faiths are widely labelled as promoting inter-communal tensions and for preventing ‘mixing’ and integration.

Faith, Migration, Integration and Cohesion is the fourth in a seminar series on migration supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and draws on the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Immigration and Inclusion Programme. This seminar will provide fresh analysis on some of the main policy questions that arise from the intersection of migration and faith in the UK. In particular the seminar will examine:

How international migration has changed the faith map of the UK.
The role of individual faith organised religion and in promoting migrant integration and social cohesion.
In the context of the duty to ensure non-discrimination on religious grounds outlined in the Equality Act 2006, how public bodies might incorporate religion in their equality strategies.
How different levels of government might engage with faith communities to promote migrant integration and social cohesion.

Programme (subject to change)

14.00 - Welcome and introductions, Professor Michael Kenny, Visiting Fellow, ippr and Emma Stone, Assistant Director, Policy and Research, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

14.15 - What we know about the changing faith map of the UK, Jill Rutter, Refugee and Migrant Justice and Associate Fellow, ippr

14.30 - Social capital, economic capital and faith communities, Professor Richard Farnell, Coventry University

15.00 - The role of faith communities in promoting integration and cohesion, Simon Keyes, Director, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace (invited)

15.30 - Refreshments

15.45 - The way forward: towards a more productive relationship between faith communities and the state, discussion led by Professor Michael Kenny, ippr

16.45 - Conclusions and departure, Emma Stone, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

For further information or to confirm attendance please contact Holly Andrew at ippr on 0207 470 6170 or h.andrew@ippr.org.