Successful models of Community Cohesion in Urban EuropeYou are cordially invited to attend a Focus Session on Community Cohesion as part of Global Peace Festival 2008. This is one of six Focus Sessions aiming to further the efforts of working committees addressing various key issues in European society.
One of the major challenges facing urban Europe is that of alienation, segregation and lack of cohesion among the diverse communities making up our cities. It is a fact that some ethnic and religious groups are isolated and some young people are without positive role models and direction.
This Focus Session will explore models of good practice which have been successful in overcoming isolation and bringing diverse communities together right across Europe and the U.K. Draft Programme- Keynote Speaker – Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs.
- The Community Cohesion Working Group – a brief account of our work over the past twelve months by Joint Chair - Saleha Jaffer.
- European Models of Good Practice in relationship to Youth, Women and Faith & Civic Leadership:
- Dorothy Thornhill Elected Mayor of Watford (Local government model of good practice in community cohesion)
- Faith Leaders Model of Good Practice; Imam Otmane Aissaoui and Rabbi Joshep Abittan from –France - Canon Ann Easter from Britain – CEO Renewal programme in Newham
- Women's Model of Good Practice from Birmingham:
a. Siobhan Gorman (Irish community leader ) & Mrs T Sarwar ( President of Indian Women's club).
b. European model from ITALY: Gabriela Mieli & Mauro Sarass - Youth Model of Good Practice:
a. Mrs Helga Arntzen from Norway "youth travel for Peace"
b. GPF - European , Youth working with British youth in the Olympic Bouroughs -Ms Elisa Brann and Mr Chigo. Ahunany
- Q & A - Discussion and comments from the floor, regarding their stories of CC
- Closing remarks by Cllr. Liaquat Ali – Co Chair of GPF (former Mayor of Waltham Forest)
| | Curriculum Vitae of Speakers |
Tom Brake 
Tom is an MP who got his higher education at the Imperial College, London where he gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics. As a student he became actively involved in human rights issues. Tom is a member of Amnesty International and Greenpeace and a supporter of Oxfam. In his first term in Parliament he was the Liberal Democrats Environment Spokesman. After the General Election in 2001, Tom was appointed a Shadow Transport Minister in the Liberal Democrats Transport Team he also was appointed to the Liberal Democrats' Shadow Cabinet, serving as the party's International Development Spokesman, the party's Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, a Shadow Minister in the Communities and Local Government Team, Shadow Minister for the Home Office, and the prestigious Home Affairs Select Commitee. He is the Chairman of the National Council for Civil Protection, the Parliamentary Sponsor of the Air Safety Group and a member of the Franco-British Parliamentary Relations Group. In 2007 Tom was named Liberal Democrat Spokesman for London and the Olympics, a position he maintained in the recent reshuffle.
Saleha Jaffer  Saleha is the Governor of the Lambeth South community, and assists the community in their health care issues.
Dorothy Thornhill  Dorothy is the political leader of Watford Borough Council and the Borough's first Directly Elected Mayor. She was electd in 2002, with 72 per cent of the vote, and was subsequently re-elected for a further four year term in 2006. As Mayor, Dorothy represents the Council and the Borough on a local, national and international platform.
Other Speakers: Imam Otmane Aissaoui, Rabbi Joshep Abittan, Siobhan Gorman, Mrs T Sarwar, Gabriela Mieli, Mauro Sarasso, Mrs Helga Arntzen, Ms Elisa Brann and Mr Chigo. Ahunany | 
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