Published: August 14, 2024
Polarisation is one of the key issues which Belong addresses during our Shared Ground training and skill-sharing programme.
Unfortunately, it’s become a much more pressing problem in the weeks since we announced the upcoming dates for the 2024-25 programme, beginning in September, which anyone can join.
Alongside the policing and criminal justice response, the recent unrest and disorder in cities and towns underlines the need for a long-term national cohesion strategy, matched with support to local leaders and the positive work by councils, civil society and faith organisations which we know is most effective in building strong and resilient communities. It also highlights the importance of countering racism and prejudice, and cultivating our preparedness to work through difficult and controversial issues and disagreements on a range of social issues in ways which are respectful and constructive.
Shared Ground can provide some of that support, building people’s skills and confidence to reduce and overcome community tensions and to foster good relations and develop local tension monitoring systems. Our sessions include high-quality contributions from experienced practitioners and academics, scenario-based exercises to develop practical skills, and opportunities for information-sharing and discussion.
We’re pleased to announce the first of our confirmed guest speakers: Míriam Juan-Torres is Head of Research at the Democracy & Belonging Forum based at the University of California Berkeley, and teaches courses on human rights and international law at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Míriam’s a recognised expert on the social and political dynamics of polarisation, warning a few days before the violence began on British streets that ‘recent elections and political shifts indicate that far-right movements are evolving rather than fading, with a lot of possibilities for a multipronged strategy’ to further their agendas.
To find out more about Shared Ground, and how to join the programme, click here or email us on hello@belongnetwork.co.uk