How can the next Welsh Government strengthen communities to build a more cohesive Wales?
This webinar will build on WCPP's work to support the Welsh Government's Expert Group on Social Cohesion in identifying policy actions to strengthen community cohesion in Wales.
The next Welsh Government will come to office at a time of growing concern about division and polarisation in communities across Wales and the wider UK. Wales has experienced at least four major incidents that have affected social cohesion in the past three years alone, ranging from anti-immigrant protests to social media attacks against organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Strengthening social cohesion in this context will require coordinated action to tackle inequalities, (re)build trust in institutions, and support the local infrastructure that underpins positive connection within and between communities.
The next Senedd term will also bring specific challenges: responding to rising anti-migrant sentiment and online misinformation, while working within a devolution settlement where some key levers affecting cohesion remain reserved to the UK Government. At the same time, it presents an important opportunity to build on recent developments – including the recent Senedd inquiry into social cohesion and the establishment of the Expert Group on Social Cohesion – and rethink how social cohesion policy can more effectively support communities in Wales.
Our expert panel will explore:
- What are the biggest emerging threats to community cohesion in Wales over the next five years - and how can the next Welsh Government act to address them?
- How can the Welsh Government better support place-based and community-led approaches to strengthen cohesion?
- How can trust be (re)built in contexts of division or low confidence in institutions - and what role should the Welsh Government and local action play?
Confirmed speakers:
- Jacqueline Broadhead: Director, Global Exchange on Migration and Diversity; Migration Oxford; Inclusive Cities
- Raj Bhari: Associate at Belong: The Cohesion and Integration Network
- Paul Davies: Community Cohesion Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council
- Patrick Barron: Global Lead for Social Cohesion and Resilience, World Bank
The discussion will be followed by a live Q&A with the audience.
This webinar is part of Ways forward: Insights and evidence for the next Welsh Government a WCPP webinar series hosted by the Institute of Welsh Affairs, aimed at anyone with an interest in how the Welsh policy landscape will evolve after the forthcoming Senedd election. Each webinar focusses on a specific policy challenge within one of WCPP's current priority areas (Tackling Inequalities, Environment and Net Zero, Community Wellbeing), along with the future of local government; each with input from expert guest speakers and opportunities for audience engagement.
Be part of the discussion, sign up now. Strengthening community cohesion in Wales Tickets, Wednesday, Mar 25 from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm GMT | Eventbrite
Please note that we are intending to record and/or transcribe the sessions. The recording will be shared via the IWA and/or WCPP’s channels. Please let us know if you have any concerns or objections to us doing this or to your remarks being attributed to you by name.
