Strengthening Communities: The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion

A pivotal moment for the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion as it prepares to launch a UK wide National Conversation later this year.

On Monday, the Civil Mediation Council were invited by Sir Sajid Javid and John Cruddas to a private briefing from the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion. Billed as an opportunity to be part of an early, senior conversation about one of the most pressing challenges facing the country – the meeting looked at how we rebuild connection and cohesion in our communities across the UK.

The Commission has already published a foundational report, ‘The State of Us’ and has appointed twenty commissioners. The next stage for the Commission is to gather evidence across seven thematic areas, to include housing and education, and to put forward recommendations to policy makers. The evidence gathering phase will include inviting partners from civil society, business, sport and the technology sectors to help create a credible shared vision and recommendations.

In March, the Commission will launch ‘The National Conversation’ which will consist of the launch of a national survey and also an invitation to organisations to lead group discussions to feedback to the Commission.

Having shared the new community mediation organisation map with the Commission, the CMC’s Community Mediation Working Group look forward to receiving the resources for the evidence gathering phase and to supporting the aims of the Commission.