Commitments and Approaches

Building shared societies is a multifaceted task. Who is responsible for promoting social cohesion? How do we ensure we include all of a society’s people and perspectives when designing public policies? What do we see in others that threatens our identity or otherwise frightens us? What brings us together as a society? How do we ensure that different people living together in a city, society or country is made easier and more enriching?

We have identified Ten Commitments and Approaches for Building Shared Societies – key policy areas that are essential to promoting social inclusion. Grouped in four categories – institutional arrangements, safeguards, service provision and inter-community development – the Commitments offer a comprehensive approach to building shared societies.

It is not pick-and-choose, but rather a checklist of all features that need to be present in a shared society. Action is required on all of them. The Commitments are not prescriptive; for that reason each commitment is accompanied by various alternative approaches to fulfill it.

Building a shared society is a commitment that requires a permanent engagement from leaders to keep the issue at the forefront of their leadership, governance and policy-making.

The Commitments and Approaches, have been endorsed by the Members of the Club of Madrid.

(Click to see each commitment in full)

Institutional Arrangements

I.          Locating responsibility of social cohesion within government structures

II.         Create opportunities for minorities to be consulted

Safeguards

III.        Monitor structures and policies to ensure they are supportive of social cohesion

IV.        Ensure the legal framework protects the rights of the individual

V.         Deal with inequality and economic disadvantages by those discriminated against 

Service Provision

VI.        Ensure that physical environments create opportunities for social interaction

VII.       A education system that demonstrates a commitment to a shared society

Inter-community development

VIII.      Initiate a process to encourage the creation of a shared vision of society

IX.        Promote respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity

X.         Take steps to reduce tensions and hostility between communities

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