Coordinators that work to improve tolerance and understanding between different cultural and ethnic groups in Wales are set to continue after the Welsh Government announced new funding (Mon 10th Feb).
The Community Cohesion Coordinators work regionally to ensure tensions are monitored within communities and work is carried out to tackle hate crime and extremism of all kinds. Their role includes raising awareness of human trafficking and activity to support the acceptance and integration of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and Gypsies and Travellers.
The Welsh Government has announced a further £300,000 of funding over the next two years (2014 -2016) so the nine Community Cohesion Coordinators across Wales can continue their work.
The coordinators work across these regions:
- Newport & Monmouthshire.
- Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen Cardiff & the Vale.
- Ceredigion & Powys.
- Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire.
- Denbighshire, Flintshire & Wrexham.
- Anglesey, Conwy & Gwynedd.
- Swansea & Bridgend.
- Merthyr Tydfil & Rhondda Cynon Taff.
An example of their activity was the aftermath of the murder of the British soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich in May 2013. The Co-ordinator in Newport worked with Muslims and other groups in the community to reduce tensions, help avoid retaliations and prevent the situation from escalating.
Communities & Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert said:
“Here in Wales we have a proud tradition of stable, welcoming communities and we want this to continue. Our Community Cohesion Coordinators have played an important role in our efforts to achieve this, from monitoring potential tensions within communities to helping people from different backgrounds to better understand each other.
“I am pleased we are able to support their work for another two years so we can build on Wales’s record of tolerance and communities living harmoniously together.”
