University News Last updated 27 February 2015
Birmingham people will have the opportunity to engage with policy makers on issues that are affecting their communities at a University-hosted panel debate next week.
The ‘Birmingham Integration Roadshow’ will be a chance for residents to find out what the government is planning to do to help promote community integration and to tackle issues such as hate crime, faith in schools and the role of the media.
Audience members will put their questions to the panel which will include the Minister for Communities and Local Government Lord Ahmad, Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart and Faeeza Vaid the Executive Director, Muslim Women's Network.
Minister for Communities Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe in the places where they live and work, free from discrimination and prejudice irrespective of colour, creed or religion.
“I’m therefore looking forward to hearing directly from the people of Birmingham on some of the challenges our diverse communities are facing across Britain. IT also allows me to share some of the Government’s initiatives and current thinking on building cohesive communities.”
Panel Chair and Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Birmingham City University, Imran Awan said: “My work has found a real need for having a better understanding of how to tackle the common negative attitudes and stereotypes of Muslim communities and working towards establishing stronger relationships of trust between communities and law enforcement agencies.”
Imran regularly provides independent expert advice to the Cross-Government Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred. He recently spoke in the wake of the Trojan Horse schools inquiry: “At present Muslim communities in Birmingham feel vilified and that they are being unfairly labelled as extremists. To me the most significant outcome of this whole affair is the damage caused to community cohesion and diversity, which was one of Birmingham’s key strengths.”
Birmingham City University will be hosting the Birmingham Integration Roadshow in conjunction with the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Integration Roadshow takes place on Tuesday 3 March at Birmingham City University’s City North Campus between 10am and 1pm.
To register your interest please email press@bcu.ac.uk