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Talking Communities - Promoting Understanding of Diversity and Equality - Jun 2007
More than 50 people attended a one-day workshop at Harrow Council’s Civic Centre to help promote and improve community cohesion (Harrow is the 4th most ethnically diverse and the most religiously diverse local authority in England and Wales).
Harrow Council’s Community Development Team in partnership with Schneider-Ross, a leading consultancy in equality, diversity and inclusion, organised the event held last week.
Tony Warner, senior consultant from Schneider-Ross, delivered the workshop, which was interactive, using films, quizzes, images and practical exercises.
Participants included council staff, councillors, community/voluntary groups’ representatives, NHS staff, tenants and residents associations, the Borough Commander, Superintend Richard Walton and the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Jean Lammiman.
Those present were able to increase their awareness with regard to refugees and asylum seekers, Romani Gypsies and traveller communities, the African presence in Britain, Islam and its contributions to art and science, experiences of Jewish and Irish immigrants, contributions of people of Asian and African descent to the war effort.
95% of participants expressed their satisfaction with the way the workshop was delivered and with the information they had received to help challenge prejudice and misconceptions about people from different backgrounds.
One of the highlights of the workshop was a video on facts and myths about refugees and asylum seekers. Although the group was generally well informed, many were shocked to hear the previously unknown facts about these groups and suggested this video should be widely screened in schools and other public institutions.
Councillor Anjana Patel, Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services, said: “I particularly welcome this workshop as part of our commitment to community cohesion.
“We need to be able to communicate and understand the needs of all members of the community – this is a vital step in that process.”
Saynab Mahamud, Harrow Council Community Development Officer who facilitated the event, said: “Ignorance and misperceptions can create fear and a breakdown in communications between people and it is everyone’s responsibility to raise their own awareness in order to build a society were each one of us is valued as individuals regardless of our colour, culture, gender and belief.
“It is important that we see Harrow’s diversity as strength rather than “a problem” and build on our commonality as human beings.”
Harrow Council’s Community Development Team in partnership with Schneider-Ross, a leading consultancy in equality, diversity and inclusion, organised the event held last week.
Tony Warner, senior consultant from Schneider-Ross, delivered the workshop, which was interactive, using films, quizzes, images and practical exercises.
Participants included council staff, councillors, community/voluntary groups’ representatives, NHS staff, tenants and residents associations, the Borough Commander, Superintend Richard Walton and the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Jean Lammiman.
Those present were able to increase their awareness with regard to refugees and asylum seekers, Romani Gypsies and traveller communities, the African presence in Britain, Islam and its contributions to art and science, experiences of Jewish and Irish immigrants, contributions of people of Asian and African descent to the war effort.
95% of participants expressed their satisfaction with the way the workshop was delivered and with the information they had received to help challenge prejudice and misconceptions about people from different backgrounds.
One of the highlights of the workshop was a video on facts and myths about refugees and asylum seekers. Although the group was generally well informed, many were shocked to hear the previously unknown facts about these groups and suggested this video should be widely screened in schools and other public institutions.
Councillor Anjana Patel, Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services, said: “I particularly welcome this workshop as part of our commitment to community cohesion.
“We need to be able to communicate and understand the needs of all members of the community – this is a vital step in that process.”
Saynab Mahamud, Harrow Council Community Development Officer who facilitated the event, said: “Ignorance and misperceptions can create fear and a breakdown in communications between people and it is everyone’s responsibility to raise their own awareness in order to build a society were each one of us is valued as individuals regardless of our colour, culture, gender and belief.
“It is important that we see Harrow’s diversity as strength rather than “a problem” and build on our commonality as human beings.”