Oxfam's work on cohesion in the UK

Oxfam believes in a society in which people are free from all forms of discrimination. Where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can live a secure and dignified life. Where communities are strong and diverse, and public services meet everyone's needs.

Cohesion resources

What we're doing

Bringing different communities together is one of the most effective ways to overcome racism and discrimination. Which is why we work with partners like Peacemaker in Oldham, who help young Asian and white people get to know each other. And Friends and Neighbours groups in Wales, which support meeting and friendships between asylum seekers, refugees and the local Welsh population.

Working with communities so they can understand their rights and speak out is vital. In Glasgow, we are helping develop a Roma Rights Network, supporting Roma women and men to access their rights to decent housing and employment and hold organisations to account if their needs are not properly addressed.

In Wales, our newest project supports women refugees to demand a say in local and national decisions affecting them.

We’ve also supported national Refugee Week, and funded a free London paper produced by the Migrants Resource Centre, highlighting the positive impact of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in London. Meanwhile the Asylum Positive Images project and network in Scotland has done significant and varied work to improve public attitudes to refugees and asylum seekers there.

At government level, we believe that current policy is on the wrong track - until community cohesion policy addresses the poverty, discrimination and racism that marginalised communities face it will only worsen divisions. We’re running an enquiry into community cohesion policy and will publish the results in 2009.

What we're calling for

• The government should adopt a community cohesion agenda which focuses on tackling deprivation as the most effective solution to ending tension and conflict.
• Anti-discrimination law should be fully implemented and strongly enforced to protect ethnic minorities more effectively from the racism that leads to poverty.
• Funding should be available for BME-led groups, recognising that they are essential support to marginalised minority ethnic communities.
• Government policy should support Roma communities in the UK to access their rights and live free of poverty and discrimination.
• Government should promote fair and positive images of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, recognising their contribution rather than reinforcing hostile views.