Latest news with #socialCohesion
ABC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Is Australia's multicultural project in trouble?
The Prime Minister has roundly condemned a series of "shocking" anti-Semitic acts, which Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has labelled "an attack on all Australians". But do the attacks point to a fraying of Australia's social cohesion? And as NAIDOC week celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Minister for Aboriginal Australians has indicated a willingness to consider truth-telling at a federal level, but is Anthony Albanese on board? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The European Union (EU), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Launch €2.7million Initiative for Forcibly Displaced Persons and their Host Communities in Northern Ghana
The European Union (EU), UNICEF and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched a €2.7 million multi-donor initiative in northern Ghana to significantly strengthen the resilience and improve the lives of forcibly displaced persons and their host communities. The two-year, 'Supporting the Resilience of Forcibly Displaced People and Host Communities in Northern Ghana' project, known as the UNITE Project, is implemented by UNICEF Ghana and UNHCR, and co-funded by the EU. Implemented in the Tarikom and Zini communities of Ghana's Upper East and Upper West regions respectively, the project will enhance the inclusion and access to basic services for forcibly displaced populations and host communities (particularly women and children) while also strengthening national systems for inclusive development. This collaborative effort, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, National Identification Authority, and local government and traditional authorities, seeks to improve access to essential services, foster social cohesion for forcibly displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, and promote long-term sustainable development with the objective of aligning with national strategies and complementing existing efforts like the Gulf of Guinea Social Cohesion (SOCO) programme, as well as other EU and UN projects. 'Prolonged conflict in the Gulf of Guinea has forced thousands to flee their homes with over 17,000 asylum seekers estimated to be living in the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. Through the UNITE project and other initiatives, the EU is supporting forcibly displaced people and the communities generously hosting them. The EU will continue to play its role on the global stage and in Ghana to uphold refugees' rights, in line with EU and international law.' said Irchad Razaaly, EU Ambassador to Ghana. 'This initiative, profoundly supported by the European Union, is about restoring dignity, strengthening community resilience and building a future where every child and family has equitable access to the services and opportunities they deserve in a dynamic and changing environment' stated Osama Makkawi Khoghali, UNICEF Ghana Representative. 'UNHCR is committed to ensuring that forcibly displaced persons and their host communities in Northern Ghana have the protection and support to not only survive but thrive. This comprehensive program, with the generous backing of the European Union, allows us to work collaboratively to build sustainable solutions that empower these communities and foster peaceful coexistence,' added Needa Jehu-Mazou, Head of UNHCR Office in Ghana. The project is also being replicated in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, highlighting a concerted regional approach with a total financing amount of €12million (€10million from the EU and €2 million from four UN agencies: World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF and UNHCR) Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Ghana.
Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Britain's vital green spaces are in grave danger unless we act now
This week, as the Chancellor announces the Government's latest spending review, we are bracing for cuts across the board. In tough times, difficult choices must be made. At such a moment it is important to remember that the numbers in the spreadsheets are not simply economic abstractions, and that some cuts can cost more than they save. World Environment Day is an excellent moment to remember that green spaces are a case in point. They are one of the most powerful and under-appreciated tools for improving public health and fostering social cohesion while sustaining wildlife. The truth is that local parks are delivering huge value and can contribute so much more. Green spaces, parks and playing fields are frontline services for the wellbeing of our communities. They are where we exercise, connect with others, improve our mental health and, crucially, where connect with Nature. At a time of rising isolation and disconnection with the natural world, these places matter more than ever. But they are vanishing. In the last ten years, more than 800 parks and playgrounds have closed across the UK. In many communities, especially those already suffering the effects of inequality, access to safe, high-quality outdoor spaces has become a postcode lottery. Seventy per cent of children in low-income areas don't meet the recommended daily exercise levels. One in five young people now face an actual or probable mental health disorder. We're seeing the consequences in our health service. Lack of physical activity and limited access to nature are directly linked to long-term conditions, ranging from obesity and Type 2 diabetes to anxiety and depression. We are spending a fortune in fixing problems which could in part be prevented at much lower cost. Regular use of parks and green spaces generates over £34 billion in health and wellbeing benefits each year. At a time when the Health Service is under extraordinary pressure, investing in green spaces is not a 'nice to have.' It is a preventive public health policy. But the benefits of green space are not just physical or economic; they are emotional and deeply formative. As someone who has spent my life seeking ways to sustain Nature, I know how critical early experiences are in shaping our relationship with the natural world. My own love of Nature wasn't sparked in some distant wilderness, but in the green areas close to home: wonderful patches of wild 'brownfield' scrub, local fields, and neighbourhood parks. These everyday encounters with Nature weren't spectacular, but they were profound. You can't foster a love of the natural world through screens or textbooks alone. It must be felt, seen, heard. That spark happens outdoors. Every child deserves that spark. Yet today, far too many children grow up without ever hearing birdsong or walking beneath a canopy of trees. Girls, ethnic minorities, and families in deprived communities face the greatest barriers to experiencing the simple, profound benefits of nature. That is not just a social failing. It is a moral one. Green spaces are where future conservationists are born. When children climb trees, build dens, or simply lie on the grass and look up at the sky, they're doing more than playing. They're forming bonds with Nature that can last a lifetime. That sense of care and wonder is what leads people to protect and preserve the wild as they grow up. Our future depends on it. This year marks the centenary of Fields in Trust, a charity that has spent 100 years quietly protecting more than 3,000 green spaces across the UK. It is a remarkable achievement, but there is still so much more to do. Fields in Trust believes that everyone should live close to a protected park. As we face the overlapping challenges of poor public health, rapid urbanisation, and the climate and Nature emergencies, that vision has never been more important. Yet green spaces continue to be at risk, and once lost they are rarely replaced. Parks are places of healing. Places where children run, families connect, and communities thrive. They are one of the few remaining spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds naturally mix. We must reframe access to quality green spaces, including wilder ones, as a right, not a privilege. We stand at a crossroads. If we want to create a future where our world's living systems are restored and thriving, we must begin by protecting Nature on our doorsteps. The next generation of conservationists and environmental stewards won't appear by magic. They will emerge from the children and families who had the chance to explore, love and connect with nature today.
Arab News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UK think tank calls for national strategy to tackle anti-Muslim hatred, rebuild social cohesion
LONDON: A new report from the think tank Equi released Monday has urged the UK government to adopt a coordinated national strategy to address anti-Muslim hatred, while warning that social division is harming trust in institutions and threatening the country's cohesion. Released as British Muslims marked Eid Al-Adha, the report highlighted growing levels of anti-Muslim narratives and attacks, but also pointed to polling by Savanta/ComRes that showed that the majority of Britons hold either neutral or positive views toward Muslims. A PDF Embed Here Equi argued that this provided a foundation for progress, and said that building trust, inclusion and civic resilience must be treated as a national priority. 'Britain's diverse and welcoming cultural identity is one of its greatest strengths. But we cannot leave social cohesion to chance,' said Prof. Javed Khan, managing director of Equi. 'Failing to address social division is not only unjust but fiscally draining, at a time when resources are scarce,' he added. The report identified anti-Muslim hatred as a key barrier to intercommunity trust, particularly in the aftermath of flashpoints such as the 2024 summer riots. It estimated the cost of anti-Muslim hatred last year at a minimum of £243 million ($328.9 million), including expenses linked to policing, imprisonment, and insurance claims. The report also pointed to alienating government policies, such as Prevent, and rising misinformation as major factors eroding social trust. Many British Muslims, it noted, feel disproportionately scrutinized and disconnected from wider society. Among its recommendations, Equi called for a strategic program of public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and stereotypes, combined with cross-government engagement with local authorities, faith groups and civil society organizations to help rebuild trust. It also advocated for increased investment in youth and community initiatives that promoted shared experiences and inclusive participation as a means of strengthening intercommunity ties. 'Knowing most Britons are not getting sucked into divisive language that can destroy community relations should give us great hope. The government should use its unique platform to articulate a unifying vision for the nation; one that focuses not on responding to division, but on championing shared values like respect, equality and liberty,' Khan said. 'As Britain's 4 million Muslims celebrated Eid, this report provides a timely and urgent reminder that with clear focus and leadership, a stronger, peaceful and cohesive UK is within reach.'
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Canadians remain optimistic about national unity regardless of political differences, data show
In the leadup to recent political disruptions, including tensions with the U.S. and growing discussion of Western separatism, most Canadians were hopeful about the future of national unity and appeared to harbour positive or neutral feelings toward each other, regardless of differences in political views, according to newly released data. Two Statistics Canada reports published Wednesday delve into measures of national unity and social cohesion, a relatively new area of exploration for the federal statistics agency. As the research was conducted in April, 2024, it does not capture recent shifts in sentiment in response to more recent developments such as the trade war with the U.S. However, one of the reports says, the data 'serve as a useful baseline for Canadians' sense of national unity and their societal outlook prior to these events and future comparisons.' Most respondents were hopeful about the future of Canadian society. More than eight out of 10 said they were hopeful about unity, and a similar proportion said so about democracy. A slightly lower proportion – 75 per cent – said they were hopeful about the economic opportunities. However, difficulty meeting financial obligations and poor health conditions were linked to relatively lower hopefulness about unity. Majority of Canadians think Western separatism is serious: poll The data also suggest that national unity had rebounded last year, after declining during the pandemic. The research found 80 per cent of respondents reported a strong or very strong sense of belonging to Canada by late 2024. That's up from 72 per cent in mid-2022. (Statscan warns that comparisons across time should be made with caution, because different methods were used to measure unity.) The new data also sheds light on how Canadians felt about each other, including those who may hold different political views. More than three quarters of respondents had warm or neutral feelings about people whether they share their political views or not. 'That stands in slight contrast to some other work that's been done in this area, and only 2.4 per cent who had very warm feelings towards people with similar political views also had very cold feelings towards people with different political views,' said Samuel MacIsaac, a senior research analyst at Statscan who authored both reports, in an interview. However, Canadians were less forgiving toward those who hold different views on racism and gender identity, according to the data. About a quarter of respondents who held very warm feelings toward people who share their views on racism held very cold views on those who do not. Dr. MacIsaac acknowledged that Statscan hasn't historically delved into the interplay between social cohesion and politics, making these studies novel: 'There was definitely a lot of caution taken, because as a national statistical agency … we have an apolitical mandate." He added: 'You'll notice, right off the bat, these questions differ from pollsters and academics that may have more liberty in terms of measuring people's political views.' Statscan has in the past looked into how Canadians feel about others who belong to the same social circle, such as friends, colleagues and neighbours. However, Dr. MacIsaac said overlooking how they feel about people who do not belong to their 'in group' could overstate the level of social cohesiveness in society. Since spring last year, when the data were collected, the issue of unity has risen to the top of the political agenda because of tensions within the country and with the United States. While the federal election had sparked discussions about Western provinces seceding from the country, recent polling shows only a minority of Canadians in those regions are interested in separation. U.S. President Donald Trump's talk of annexing Canada as well has his decision to impose tariffs have also reignited a sense of national pride in this country. Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a chance to put his approach to national unity to the test early next week in Saskatoon, when he meets with provincial and territorial premiers. Mr. Carney has said he wants to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and support large nation-building infrastructure projects.
