July 2008: The Department of Communities and Local Government has published “Face to Face and Side by Side—a framework for partnership in our multi-faith society”, a response to the national inter faith consultation held earlier this year. According to the Inter Faith Network UK, the aim of the framework is described as being “to create more local opportunities both for face to face dialogue which supports a greater understanding of shared values as well as an appreciation of distinctiveness; and for side by side collaborative social action where people come together and share their time, energy and skills to improve their local neighbourhood.”
The document acknowledges what has already been achieved in the inter faith field and notes the desirability of national, regional and local organisations working in complementary ways. It encourages further work to increase inter faith understanding and social cooperation by faith communities, inter faith bodies, local authorities, schools, colleges and universities, and others. It groups potential work under the headings of four building blocks:
- Developing the competence and skills to ‘bridge’ and ‘link’
- Shared spaces for interaction
- Structures and processes which support dialogue and social action
- Opportunities for learning which build understanding.
The key recommendations include:
- Providing resources to support and develop regional faiths forums
- Establishing a “Faiths in Action” grant fund - a £4m grants programme open to faith, inter faith, voluntary and community organisations and groups in England from 1 August 2008. Round one will issue grants of up to £12,000 to be spent over two years. Faiths in Action aims to bring communities together, promoting positive relationships between people of different religions and beliefs — further information will be published at www.cdf.org.uk shortly.
- Encouraging faith groups to hold open days and share space in their buildings
A summary of the report can be downloaded here Face to Face and Side by Side: A framework for partnership in our multi faith society - Summary
The press release can be found here http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/communities/899062
The full report can be downloaded here Face to Face and Side by Side: A framework for partnership in our multi faith society