Deputy Mayor, religious leaders, and academics give evidence to Committee

• Parliament TV: Citizenship and Civic Engagement
• Citizenship and Civic Engagement Committee

Witnesses

Wednesday 6 December, Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster

At 10.30am

• Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
• His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols

At 11.30am

• Dr Maria Sobolewska, University of Manchester
• Dr Leah Bassel, University of Leicester
• Mr Matthew Ryder, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Greater London Authority

Possible areas of discussion

• What do you see as the role of faith communities in promoting civic engagement? What examples are there of faith communities working with the Government to create a positive social impact?
• What can the Government learn from faith communities in building a strong sense of communal identity?
• Do you think that the Government's Fundamental British Values of "democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs" represent a good list? Would you seek to change this list?
• How do you view the tensions between the practice and beliefs of faith groups, the position of women, and the rights of members of the LGBT community?
• Do people have to feel that they belong in their local community before they can feel a sense of belonging about their country?
• To what extent does local identity supersede national identity?
• What role should local authorities play in integration?
• To what extent are local communities involved in the provision of nationally run volunteering schemes like the National Citizen Service?

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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