The Concept of Integration and Community Cohesion - Assignment Example

Task 1 – word count: 2549 Introduction The concept of integrating individuals into a specific community and building cohesion is one which carries several complexities. While there is an outlook to create community cohesion, the integrated problems often create barriers in building complete community. The roles which one has, beliefs that are carried by various groups and the expectations and definitions one has within their personal life all add into the boundaries that are created. The social groups are defined specifically by the thought processes that individuals relate to. However, these social groups then have difficulty in building a presence within other arenas while having a consistent set of boundaries with community building that has opposing ideals or beliefs within the community. Politicized Roles Political roles carry several dimensions of behaviours that alter the way in which one integrates or separates into the community. This comes from the basis of opposition or acceptance of the governmental policies which are intertwined within a community. Social groups which support a specific understanding and passion toward a political role will often form into a belief and value system, while other social groups that oppose this will create boundaries that are based on the political roles. This is what forms the acceptance or rejection of specific policies, actions and the formation of social groups in the community. The boundaries lead to limitations that are within social groups for interaction and integration that are a part of the community. As policies are created, individuals will divide or change their outlook within the community. Political roles are important to note not only because of the way in which social groups form around values and beliefs. More important, there is an experience and set of values that are now created in terms of community cohesion. However, these are opposed to or accepted by various groups, making the integration into communities limited by the beliefs in which one carries. The politics of cohesion are also based on other policies that the government has initialized and which create a sense of separation, such as education, income, demographic expectations and other considerations within the community. The political roles then become based on lifestyle which one has and the way that this is linked to the political agenda which is currently in practice(Elwood, 2006). Currently, the political agenda has noted the several divisions in social groups and in response has created the Community Cohesion Unit, which is based on communities learning how to embrace different social groups and to create changes at a local level. The particular policies and initiatives that are being established come specifically from surveys in local communities throughout Europe. These surveys have noted that residential segregation is common, specifically with a division of populations by income level, social establishments and work requirements which the individuals had. These boundaries have then created policies and new agendas within politics with the noticed boundaries (Robinson, 2005). While the policies are created, those who are associated with different political groups or which have a set of beliefs around their lifestyle will create more divisions within groups based on experience and understanding. Community Activism A second area where boundaries are created within the community comes from the activism that is placed among various social groups. There are communities and social groups that have specific beliefs and an understanding of how much engagement one should have within the community and with specific activities. The activism which is noted is based specifically on the fluidity of the community. This means that each social group creates a sense of movement that goes within and out of the foundational structure of a community. The diversity and the number of people populated in the area then build a sense of activism and structure that is within the community. If the activism among specific social groups is higher, then it builds a presence that shows a specific pattern that separates the group from others. The social groups sometimes become divided specifically because of the activism which is created, specifically because it forms ways in which individuals can interact with similar purposes. This creates the diversity in a community; however, it also reinforces the boundaries that many face within the community structure (Blake et al, 2008). The concept of community activism creates further divisions by the concept of active citizenship. There are several who have belief systems that are based on the amount of activism which is created. These beliefs are based on the activities which one creates as being an identifier of the citizenship in which one holds. When these activities aren’t performed by individuals or social groups, then the belief is that the individual isn’t participating in the correct form of citizenship. The barriers which are created are based on belief systems that come from how active one should be within the community. For example, if a set of individuals value volunteering at specific fundraising activities, then a group may be formed specifically for this cause. Those that don’t participate in this are immediately segregated as not being in the activity. This is furthered by belief systems being developed over how active one should or shouldn’t be within the community (Jansen, Chioncel, Dekkers, 2006). The concept of activism becomes a component in forming the specific groups while creating the boundaries among other groups that don’t participate in the same social events. Religious Beliefs The same concepts are formed with religious beliefs. The belief system that is established among those in various communities immediately creates a division and set of boundaries. The activities that are available for specific religious groups create a way of forming social groups while eliminating others that are within the society. At the same time, the religious beliefs form levels of stereotypes that are created among other social groups within a given region. There are immediate divisions by demographics, belief systems and the expectations o what other groups have which defines the specific religious beliefs. These all become a part of value driven perspectives that change the social groups and sociological structures within a different region and which create complexities and assumptions which are related to the religious beliefs in which one holds (Flint, 2007). The religious beliefs that are held don’t become complex only because of the division created by activities and assumptions. The lack of integration is furthered by the political and social expectations that are a part of each of the groups. A way in which this has currently been magnified is through the concept of terrorism. The media has created an understanding that terrorism is linked directly to the Islamic belief system and the fanatical approach to government and religion being intertwined. Those in various communities throughout the UK have then created an understanding that the Islamic faith and the concept of religion is linked directly to how much security one has within a specific community. The policies and government involvement furthers this with rules and restrictions which are exploited through the concept of Muslim terrorists. The religious beliefs then create divisions and social group divisions that don’t accept or create stereotypes subconsciously against the various religious orders. The concept of comfortable integration then becomes limited only to what one believes is a safe set of religious beliefs to accept as opposed to those which may be harmful to the community. The result is that the current events create stereotypes and divisions among various social groups within the community (Pickering, McCulloch, 2008). Another concept which is related directly to the religious beliefs and the divisions which are created is based on the sense of representation and the resources that are available within the community. When looking at various religious beliefs, it is noted that the sense of boundaries are created first within social groups because of generalizations and stereotypes. If a religious group doesn’t have a sense of representation or the proper resources, then the judgments created are furthered by divisions and boundaries which are established. If a group shows less involvement of a specific religious group and if the beliefs differ from others socially, then there isn’t a way to change the boundaries that are associated with the religion and the social groups related to this. The only way to create a sense of integration among religious groups is to begin to decenter the activities, meaning that the religious definitions have to be re-established with the personal, private and public definitions. This will stop the stereotypes from occurring and will change the way in which the religious lines are drawn among social groups based on belief systems (Dinham, Lowndes, 2008). Educational Provision The educational provisions are another way in which boundaries are established among community groups, as opposed to creating a sense of integration. The educational provisions have several implications that move beyond the level of education one has, and instead into the societal role which one carries within the region. The system that one has is based first on the education determining the work which one does, income level that one carries, family life, residential area and the activities which one participates in. The education then moves further into creating interests and understanding of specific ideals while changing the way in which one approaches various conditions. The education becomes a link to how one integrates into a specific social group because of the interests and understanding that is held, as well as the several demographic implications which are held. Those that don’t fit into this level of education will then form other social groups while creating boundaries with other people that are associated with the community groups and the occurrences that are based on understanding within the group. Education becomes a way of division, as opposed to integration within a community (Kalra, Kapoor, 2008). The concept which is created through education is one that is not based on only demographics, but creates values, beliefs and experiences that can be shared among specific social groups. The sociological observations that are understood are based on groups which form on likenesses which can be shared. The experiences are based specifically on the amount of education which one has as well as definitions which are carried by various individuals. An example of the education and how this alters the boundaries can be seen through refugees. The refugees which come to places throughout the UK have a specific educational level and understanding of lifestyle. This may integrate into society at a specific level; however, the assumptions, belief systems, definitions of ideas and other aspects differ from those in the community. This immediately creates a separation from those who have received a level of education within the local environment, which has created different definitions and experiences. The social groups formed around this are exclusive to the experiences and education, as opposed to creating a sense of integration that could be provided within the community (Ager, Strang, 2008). The educational provisions, while creating a sense of boundaries in social groups, also link to the other ways in which boundaries are created. It is the education which one has that creates values and beliefs that are carried. For example, if one’s education is established in religious beliefs, then this creates an understanding and sense of experience that the individual has. Others who have this same experience will then create a group to share the likeness that is established. The education is furthered with the various sets of belief systems and the ways in which individuals link to each other with understanding. Politics, employment, family, culture and social status all link to education, which in turn creates the specific experiences that one has and the social groups which one links to. In turn, this creates a sense of division among others that have different experiences and education. Civil Disturbances The last concept which creates a sense of boundaries among various communities is the approach to civil disturbances which are in a given locality. There are two ways in which civil disturbances will change boundaries, either by building integration or by creating more division. If the civil disturbance is based on the ruin of a community, then the help which is needed creates a formation of social groups and stops individuals from being separated from others within the community. However, when there are divisions based specifically on uprisings, then belief systems and other components create differences among those that are within a given region. This can lead not only to division, but also violent outbreaks and separation of social groups at extreme measures within a given community. An example of the civil disturbances creating both extremes among social groups can be seen from the 2001 Riots of Britain. The riots which began were based on the division of race, specifically between the South Asian and British communities. It is noted that the concept of segregation began the riots, leading to violence and racially motivated actions against others within the community. The civil disturbance that occurred is one which was based specifically on the separatism between social groups and created more division through civil disturbance. As this was highlighted, more divisions began to occur within the community. However, after the riots, there was the understanding that new approaches needed to be taken, such as through the New Labour Movement and with the understanding of carrying more social responsibility. After the shock that came through the community and the division that was created, citizens began to change the outlook of how individuals were stereotyped in the community. This was combined with discourses that began to take place within social groups and the community, specifically to begin to change the way in which individuals understood social responsibility (Bagguley, Hussain, 2006). The civil disturbances are the one area in which there is also a sense of being able to establish a different outlook among various social groups. If the civil disturbance leads to a sense of catastrophe among an entire community, than it is known that other social groups will integrate and begin to help with overcoming the tragedy which is created. The example of the riots as well as the injuries caused is an example of how social groups found a common link in needing to create a sense of cohesion and to stop the divisions and racial alterations which existed in the community. However, others involved more personally with the disturbance and which had a different experience in the given situation may form an altered social group that either separates or integrates into the society while establishing a sense of division because of the experiences that are created. Conclusion The concept of integration and community cohesion is one which has created several complexities within various regions. When looking at the aspects of integration, it can be seen that social groups are inclined to divide into various groups based on belief, definitions and value systems. These are divided specifically according to the way in which individuals understand and relate to others. Politics, activism, religious beliefs and factors relating to civil discourse all create a sense of division that is within the community. However, if social groups began to integrate and understand the concepts from a different perspective, the outlook that is within the groups could also begin to form a sense of integration that could be embraced within the community. Task 2: 1000 words Date of Application: 26th March, 2011 Name of Organization: Anchor House Purpose of Grant: The Anchor House grant will be used to assist with the Aspirations Programme, which offers training and assistance to those who are homeless and need to find a way to find employment and move into a transition of living a better lifestyle. Address of Organization: 81 Barking Road, Canning town, London, E16 4 HB Telephone Number: 020 7476 6062 Project Leader: Derek Pitt Anchor House London – charity no. 1030127 is a not for profit organization Grant request: 31,240 Total project budget: 31,240 Dates covered by project budget: June 2011-September 2011 Project Name: Aspirations Programme 26th March, 2011 Derek Pitt, Anchor House 81 Barking Road, Canning town, London, E16 4 HB Name of Grant: Aspirations Programme Anchor House is pleased to submit this request for your review. We look forward to your partnership in our cooperative efforts to help those who are homeless to receive the training, education and assistance required to rebuild their livelihoods. Our proposal requests 31,240 to support those who are homeless and who are in need of training, employment, shelter and assistance within the vicinity of the Anchor House. The objective of the Aspirations Programme is to assist those who are homeless to rebuild their lives and to get out of the homeless situation in which they are in. The experiences that they will gain from the training will allow them to move into a stable lifestyle and to begin rebuilding their lives. The proper education, ability to have assistance for employment and the maintenance of daily needs for a given time frame will boost the capacity of those who are facing homelessness to overcome the situation and to get the assistance required. We expect to have an average of 50-100 individuals go through this programme every six months. Our Aspirations Programme model is one that is based specifically on creating opportunities for those facing homelessness. Instead of moving individuals from shelter to shelter and offering the basic needs of food, there is the ability to give them tools and resources that will make them self – dependent while moving back into the regular routines needed within their lifestyle. By creating opportunities and re-training the thought patterns of those who are facing homelessness, there is the ability to change the number of those facing homelessness while creating a different outlook and sets of opportunities to those who require extra support. We have secured over 8,950 in funds that are used for the Anchor House for the next 3 months. This will be used to maintain the shelter, provide sustainable living with food and resources for individuals and to have more training available to those that are within the region. The homeless shelter is continuously receiving support by donations and funding, all which goes to the training and education, as well as the maintenance that is within the region. For the past seven years, Anchor House has successfully helped over 200 people facing homelessness to rebuild their livelihoods and to overcome the situation. Our outlook has been recognized by the BBC and continues to help individuals reach independent living. Your ongoing investment in our programme will enable us to effectively serve the community while helping our programme to grow and work toward the fight to end poverty. Thank you for your interest in Anchor House. We envision building upon our collaborative success by developing our Aspirations Programme with you. Sincerely, Name, name Project Leader: Derek Pitt Brief History of Organization: Anchor House was established in 2005 with the goal of ending homelessness while giving those facing the situation an opportunity to rebuild their lives. The prospect developed with an in-house program that provided shelter and food to those who were in homeless situations. The growth of this led to programs that are defined by establishing self – esteem, confidence and the ability to have new tools and training to move into an independent and stable lifestyle. To date, the Anchor House has successfully helped over 200 homeless residents to overcome poverty. The Anchor House is an independent non – profit charity that is a company limited by guarantee. The house has established partnerships with several for – charity organizations, all which volunteer resources and time to help those in homelessness to re-establish their lives. This is done by offering counselling, home store services, community links and links to training and college centres. Each of these individuals are able to support and offer resources that provide more options for those that are within the community. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the Aspirations Programme is to help those in homelessness to have the necessary resources to rebuild their lives and to live with stability and independent living. The objectives are based on: training needed for employment training needed to establish stability within a home opportunities for those in need counselling and services to build confidence and self – esteem regulation and maintenance of daily needs so those facing homelessness can overcome the situation. At Anchor House, there is an understanding that homelessness also leads to syndromes of shock, problems with overcoming the situation and cycles of failure because of a lack of self – esteem. By providing the fundamentals that individuals need while building a combination of confidence, training and resources, individuals will be able to move back into independent living. Benefits to Local Communities: The ability to work with the Aspiration Programme is one which can provide an end to homelessness. In turn, this will stimulate the economy, change the educational levels and can begin to end the cycles of homelessness that are within various homes. Project to Be Funded: Aspirations Programme Summary: The Aspirations Programme works with training and development of those in homelessness. The first aspect to this is psychological assistance, specifically through offering confidence building, self – esteem and other potential needs for those who are mentally struggling with their state. The second aspect to this is training and education for employment, allowing those to get the opportunities required for those in need. Project Dates: June 2011 – September 2011 View about the visions of the Future Anchor House is widely recognized in London and is continuing to grow their efforts in the community for sustainable living. The projects that are available can help those in homelessness to break the cycle of poverty and to begin working toward sustainability within their own lives. The program centre of self – esteem and development, as well as the ability to provide resources to those within the programme ensures that the poverty can end and individuals can move into a better way of living. Justification of Project The project leader for this project is: Derek Pitt 81 Barking Road, Canning town, London, E16 4 HB Tel: 020 7476 6062 Budget • Expenditure Teacher’s cost; 12weeks @ 800 p week £9600 Training fee £200 Counselling Cost: 12 weeks @ 1000 p week 12000 Materials Training Materials £500 Equipments £800 Marketing Cost Design of publicity £300 Printing leafets- 1000 £300 Printing poster £100 Distribution £500 SUB TOTAL OF DIRECT COST £24,300 Budget Administrative Cost @ 5% £500 Sub-total of direct admin cost £6,125 Contingency £325 GRAND TOTAL EXPENDITURE £31240 Income V Private Match Fund £5,000 Fundraising £600 Donations £350 GRAND TOTAL INCOME £8,950 References Ager, Alastair, Alison Strang. (2008). “Understanding Integration: A Conceptual Framework.” Journal of Refugee Studies 21 (2). Bagguley, Paul, Yasmin Hussain. (2006). “Conflict and Cohesion: Official Constructions of Community Around the Riots in Britain.” Critical Studies (19). Blake, Geraldine, John Diamond, Jane Foot, Ben Gidley, Marjorie Mayo, Kalbir Shukra, Martin Yarnit. (2008). Community Engagement and Community Cohesion. London: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Dinham, Adam, Vivien Lowndes. (2008). ‘Religion, Resources and Representation: Three Narratives of Faith Engagement in British Urban Governance.” Urban Affairs Review 43 (6). Elwood, S. (2006). “Beyond Cooptation of Resistance: Urban Spatial Politics, Community Organizations, and GIS Based Spatial Narratives.” Annals of the Association of Politics. 31 (7). Flint, John. “Faith Schools, Multiculturalism and Community Cohesion: Muslim and Roman Catholic State Schools in England and Scotland.” Policy and Politics 35 (2), 251-268. Jansen, Th, N Choincel, H Dekkers. (2006). “Social Cohesion and Integration: Learning Active Citizenship.” British Journal of Sociology of Education. 27 (2), 189-205. Kalra, Virinder, Nisha Kapoor. (2008). “Interrogating Segregation, Integration and the Community Cohesion Agenda.” CCSR Pickering, S, J McCullough. (2008). Counter-terrorism Policing: Community, Cohesion and Security. London: Routledge. Robinson, David. (2005). ‘The Search for Community Cohesion: Key Themes and Dominant Concepts of the Public Policy Agenda.” Urban Studies 42 (8), 1411-1427. Read More