Community Development Journal Advance Access published online on July 25, 2007
Community Development Journal, doi:10.1093/cdj/bsm026
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Exploring community connections: community cohesion and refugee integration at a local level1
Address for correspondence: email: c.daley{at}wmlga.gov.uk
This article reports on the findings of a case study that explored community relations between refugees and asylum seekers, other migrants and long-term residents within a local area of refugee settlement in the UK. A lack of meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds, significant prejudice, underlying tension and few opportunities for inter-group contact were found. Shared aspects of identity helped bring people together but small differences in culture and faith were also linked to strong divisions. Community initiatives and social support for both newcomers and existing residents were needed to enable real dialogue across difference and the development of relationships based on shared goals and equality.
1 The research was undertaken as post-graduate study in the Department of Community and Collaborative Studies at the University of Westminster.