We at Drug and Alcohol Action programme (DAAP) believe that cohesive communities exist where all communities have an equal stake in the decision making process that governs their lives. It is only then that individuals and therefore communities can feel valued, feel in harmony with their environment and with others and feel that they can make a difference!
DAAP works towards community cohesion by empowering individuals and communities to be knowledgeable about local, national and inter-national issues; by training people to challenge inter-community prejudice and discrimination; by raising awareness of addiction, crime and related issues and by enabling individuals to avail of the opportunities and services that exist to build healthier and harmonious lives. According to the Government’s Neighbourhood renewal Unit, four key principles underpin community cohesion:
- A Common vision and a sense of belonging
- When diversity is appreciated and valued
- Similar life opportunities are available to all
- Positive relationships exist between people from all communities
The London Borough of Ealing’s community strategy says:
Our vision is that:
By 2016 Ealing will be a successful borough in the heart of west London, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and live fulfilling lives in communities that are safe, cohesive and engaged.
The key goals for Ealing are:
- Environment, housing and culture
to make Ealing a better place to live
- Safety
to make Ealing one of the safest places in London
- Health and independence
to reduce health inequalities and promote well-being and independence for adults and older people
- Economy
to ensure that there are opportunities for all people and businesses to prosper
- Children and young people
to create a great place for every child and young person to grow up
- Success through partnerships
to develop an effective and high performing Local Strategic Partnership
When we tackle these issues we will be guided by our key values:
- Balancing community interests
to ensure our communities are active, cohesive and engaged
- Reducing inequality
to tackle inequality and disadvantage
For further information:
http://www.ealing.gov.uk
http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk
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