Led by the Citizenship Foundation – in partnership with Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Muslim Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and World Jewish Relief – Diversity and Dialogue facilitates meaningful interactions and community cohesion programmes between young people from diverse backgrounds so as to build trust and understanding, address stereotypes and discrimination, engage with challenging subject matter, and empower youth to play an active role in their communities.
Welcome to our website where you can find out more about Diversity and Dialogue and the work that we do. Search our online directory to find out about youth interfaith projects going on in your local area and how to get involved. Look at the latest news section to discover what's new and what we are planning next. Diversity and Dialogue has been working to build better understanding between young people with different beliefs and from different communities since September 2004. The project develops ways to promote dialogue amongst young people and gets them talking about their beliefs and values. We engage young people in local, global and political issues and then challenge them to work together for positive change. Diversity and Dialogue is led by the Citizenship Foundation in conjunction with seven other faith based and secular NGOs. The project is overseen by an Advisory Group of representatives from the partner organisations. To find out more about the project please read more about us.
Background
Diversity and Dialogue was conceived at a meeting of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and secular NGOs in July 2002. Representatives were discussing ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the negative repercussions on interfaith relations in the UK. They thought about their potential to help counter these tensions and their conclusion was a commitment to run an interfaith education project in partnership – Diversity and Dialogue. Diversity and Dialogue began work in 2004 and aims to build understanding and friendship between young people from different faiths and backgrounds in the UK. It develops new models of intercultural dialogue and co-operation. The successful first phase of the project was completed in 2006 and a second phase of work has begun. · Final project report, 'Diversity and Dialogue: Building better understanding between young people living in a multi-faith society' >>· Diversity and Dialogue Advisory Group >>· Partner organisations >>
Future plans
In its second phase, Diversity and Dialogue aims to be a leading youth interfaith and intercultural initiative. It is now led by the Citizenship Foundation, although Save the Children remains an active partner in the project. It will continue to develop and promote work that builds strong relationships between young people from diverse backgrounds. It will continue to focus on engaging young people in important local, global and political issues. It will work to empower young people from diverse backgrounds to work together to change our society for the better. Diversity and Dialogue will aim to support and share good practice among local initiatives in schools and the community. It will also work directly with young people, developing its own pilot projects and models of dialogue. It will analyse the most effective ways to engage and build understanding between diverse groups and use this knowledge as a base for future work and advocacy. It will act as a channel to give voice to young people on a range of issues that impact on community relations. Diversity and Dialogue will develop several related strands of work, addressing some of the needs identified in phase one of the project.
A source of information and ideas
There are a rapidly increasing number of innovative youth interfaith and social cohesion projects developing in the UK. Schools are also creating linking projects and finding ways to address Diversity and Dialogue issues both inside and outside the classroom. However, at present it can be difficult for projects to find out about one another and there is little information and support available for those setting up new initiatives Diversity and Dialogue's online directory of projects has been a first step in sharing good practice and project staff are often contacted informally by people wanting advice. At our July 2006 conference, many participants asked for more such events where they could share ideas and inspiration. Diversity and Dialogue therefore intends to develop its role as an information, support and ideas-sharing network.
Practical projects
During Diversity & Dialogue’s Phase 1, from 2004-2007, it directly worked with 300 young people aged 14-19 participating in community cohesion projects throughout the UK, and particularly in London, Yorkshire, the North West and Birmingham. It also produced educational resources for teachers, youth workers, young people and community organisations and an online directory of over 100 community cohesion projects on its website, which links projects, helps to build awareness and provides communication, advice and support. At present, in Phase 2, D&D is building upon the past success of Phase 1 through a range of activities: its recently held National Youth Forum on 25 April 2008; a Rural-Urban School Linking programme; and a series of 5 pilots in the summer 2008 that will work with a diverse spectrum of young people in Sixth Form Colleges, FE colleges and youth groups to constructively engage with controversial and contentious issues.About the Citizenship FoundationThe Citizenship Foundation is a UK registered charity. · Charity registration number: 801360. Company registration number: 2351363.· Registered office: 63 Gee Street, London EC1V 3RS. Registered in England.
· www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk
