Latest news with #communityEngagement
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Kent Police launches anti-social behaviour pilot in Sandwich
A pilot scheme aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour has been launched by police in Sandwich ahead of a possible roll-out across East scheme, called Love Your Community, was the idea of PC Joel Ruddock who works within the child centred policing team in the Dover District Community Safety five-day project will see four schools take part in events such as litter picking, helping at a foodbank, organising community sports events and inviting police into the school Ruddock said the initiative was designed to "educate" young people on anti-social behaviour. 'Negative perception' Sandwich Infant and Sandwich Junior schools are taking part alongside Sir Roger Manwood's School and Sandwich Technology initiative has been supported by Dover District Commander Liz Cokayne- Delves, who said: "It's really important to get that engagement between schools and the community because there is a lot of confusion about the trouble children cause." PC Ruddock said it would "hopefully reduce crime figures and bring the community together to build better relationships".He added: "I think sometimes there's a negative perception of some young people and they are not always to blame." In recent weeks the issue of anti-social behaviour has reared its head in coastal parts of the county. Kent Police has issued dispersal orders - empowering officers to move people on from designated areas - for Herne Bay, Whitstable, Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.A meeting to discuss the recent disorder held in Broadstairs was attended by more than 100 residents, East Thanet MP Polly Billington Sharples, who became head of Sandwich Technology School in January, said: "I've been at a school before where increasing the community footprint has improved behaviour both in and out of school dramatically. "This work with the community will encourage a deeper respect for each other and the children will just care more."
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New sports pitches to be built in Leicester
Four new outdoor sports pitches will be built and five existing ball courts refurbished in City Council successfully bid for nine grants – totalling £1,858,066 – from the Football Foundation's national PlayZones council said PlayZones are "inclusive and accessible" outdoor facilities that aim to bring "communities together" through football and other councillor Vi Dempster said the projects will help the council deliver "valuable improvements" to nine communities. The locations for the four new PlayZones will be Elston Fields, Hamilton Park, Mowmacre and Sharmon ball courts will be refurbished at Atlas Close, Armadale Drive, Cossington Recreation Ground, Eyres Monsell and Spinney Hill Park. The Eyres Monsell PlayZone will be the first to be completed and is due to open to the public later this summer, the council said. Dempster added: "Each of the areas have been selected due to a lack of high-quality sports facilities in the community, which can create a barrier to physical activity."The new PlayZones will help address that, offering safe and secure ball courts where the community can meet for recreational football and other activities, and enjoy a programme of events and training delivered by local sports clubs and other organisations."
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Could US-style primaries be the answer to the Liberals' gender imbalance? Party figures are mixed
Senior Liberal party figures reject claims support is growing for US-style primaries for preselections and say the issue is 'distracting' from discussion on quotas, but the NSW Liberal Women's Council president says the idea merits further investigation. In the US, both Democrats and Republicans use primaries. Rules vary across states, and can be open (to any registered voter), closed (requiring party registration) or a mix of both. There can be thousands of participants, leading to high levels of voter engagement. Supporters among the Liberals believe primaries would allow local communities to choose and be better engaged with their candidate, and level the playing field for women who might be disadvantaged by current party structures. Some Liberals, including the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, have long backed the proposal. But one NSW Liberal, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said they believed opponents of gender quotas were using the 'ridiculous' idea as a distraction. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'The primary problem … is that we have a gender imbalance,' they said. They also said primaries were 'risky', with too many 'structural problems', and that the cost of running primaries would lock some potential candidates out. Neither the Liberals nor Labor, they said, would have the money to implement primaries in the style of the US. Another party figure, who did not want to comment publicly, criticised the idea, calling it 'a classic bait and switch to avert the subject of quotas'. A third NSW Liberal source, who did not wish to take a public stance on local primaries, said they were not aware of the idea being discussed at state branch or leadership meetings. The state Women's Council president, Berenice Walker, said the idea of primaries was worth looking into, but that the council was more focused on quotas. '[The] suggestion of community primaries is worth further investigation,' she told Guardian Australia. '[But] quotas are getting broader support around the party. Members are quite pragmatic about how to increase women's participation and are open to a range of solutions.' In June, Leeser told the ABC that community primaries were an opportunity for candidates to build and demonstrate 'actual community support'. 'I think it completely levels the playing field,' he said. 'Women often don't have the time to put into the years of building up support within a party that men do – because often women are juggling family and other responsibilities, and party structures are less friendly to women.' Former long-serving Liberal MP Karen Andrews has also supported primaries. When Andrews announced her retirement, no women stood up for preselection to replace her in her south-east Queensland seat of McPherson. Andrews said the teal independent movement showed how direct community engagement can increase support across the electorate. '[With] a different style of preselection where the community was engaged, you're more likely to have a greater level of commitment from the community.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The federal Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, has said she is 'agnostic' about what approach the party takes to increase female representation. Her deputy, Ted O'Brien, told the media on Tuesday 'all ideas are welcome'. The shadow minister for women, Melissa McIntosh, said in recent days that any reforms must include deeper cultural change within the party. McIntosh would not say if she supported US-style primaries, but has publicised her support for a 'candidate pool' model, similar to that introduced by former UK leader David Cameron to increase female and multicultural representation in the party. Sally Betts, a former Liberal mayor of Waverley and prominent moderate in Wentworth, said party reforms should focus on members and giving them value. Betts said that in her experience, preselections, which under the current rules are open to all members of a branch, often involved only a fraction of the members. 'We are a member-based organisation. When are we going to look after members and encourage them to participate?' As a result of changes introduced by Tony Abbott, all Liberal branch party members are now entitled to vote in preselections, sometimes referred to as plebiscites. Previously, candidates were chosen by a panel that was a mix of party members and party officials. She said preselection for Vaucluse held relatively early after the new plebiscite rules had attracted about 100 members to participate, out of a possible 600, reflecting a the party's more pressing problem – internal engagement. 'We should perhaps make it easier to register and encourage our members to participate.' Former NSW Liberal party president Jason Falinksi said the floating of possible US-style primaries was 'yet another example of us talking about ourselves' and did not believe the model would improve diverse representation in the party. 'Not a single part of this proposal helps us represent the people who are desperate for representation. We would spend yet more resources talking to ourselves while ignoring the very people who need our help and representation.'
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
'Summer of the Future' program continues at UTAS–Al Mussanah with strong community engagement
The University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Al Mussanah continues to deliver its 'Summer of the Future' program, drawing wide participation from various community groups. The program reflects the university's deep commitment to its societal mission and its pivotal role in human development. This initiative is part of a broader series of community-centered programs launched by the university to enhance life skills, cultivate innovation, and foster entrepreneurship among youth, aligned with a clear vision that sees education to empower a capable generation contributing effectively to national development. Dr. Nasser Salem Al Baimani, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UTAS–Al Mussanah, emphasized that the university plays a vital role in supporting comprehensive development through educational and training programs that respond to community needs. 'The Summer of the Future program is a practical embodiment of the university's societal responsibility. We view education as a tool for building both individuals and society,' he said. He added that community engagement is a top priority, particularly in the South Al Batinah Governorate—a region full of developmental potential requiring collective academic and societal efforts. Dr. Al Baimani also noted the university's focus on nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging scientific research that addresses local issues and supports sustainable development. He stressed that such initiatives contribute to preparing national talents capable of participating in building a sustainable knowledge economy, in line with Oman Vision 2040. He concluded by reaffirming the university's commitment to expanding its societal impact through strategic partnerships and dynamic programs that keep pace with rapid changes and invest in young minds—the true foundation of any sustainable renaissance. As the program continues, it offers a diverse range of technical, soft skills, and creative workshops, tailored to meet the participants' needs and interests. This variety enhances the initiative's overall positive impact, both individually and socially. With growing momentum, UTAS–Al Mussanah aspires to expand this impactful initiative through strong collaborations with civil society and both public and private sectors, ensuring lasting value and contributing to a cohesive knowledge-driven society where non-traditional education plays a key role in supporting Oman's modern development.
Phone Arena
05-07-2025
- General
- Phone Arena
You cannot count on Samsung to repair their phones
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