About this event
Ever wished that Government and policymakers listened to the concerns of faith groups? Well, an independent review has been launched calling for views from people of all faiths on the effectiveness of government’s engagement with faith groups and so now is the chance to have our say.
The Prime Minister has appointed Colin Bloom as the Faith Engagement Advisor at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). He is charged with leading a review into how the Government might best engage with faith groups in England. On 13 November 2020 the MHCLG officially launched its 'Call for views to support comprehensive faith engagement review’. It’s a 'Call for Evidence' to help provide both qualitative and quantitative data to support the work of the Faith Engagement Advisor.
In particular the review is interested in hearing from the following groups of people:
Members of the public who identify as having a religion, or people who have a faith.
Faith and Religious leaders (voluntary or professional) in places of worship or faith-based organisations and charities.
Public sector workers such as civil servants, teachers, the police and those who work in healthcare.
Anyone who is or has been engaged with the British Military in any capacity.
Anyone who is or has been engaged in the Criminal Justice System in any capacity.
The Call for Evidence can be completed anonymously and has been purposefully designed to allow anyone who is uncomfortable sharing personal information to be able to provide their views anonymously (If, however, you wish to make yourself known, you are free to do so). The Faith Engagement Advisor will then:
“make recommendations to the Communities Secretary about how the Government can best celebrate and support the contribution of faith groups, break down barriers and promote acceptance between faiths, and promote shared values while tackling cultures and practices that are harmful”.
At present there is a low response rate from Catholics and so we hope this webinar will encourage more Catholics to contribute to this important review. We will be joined by the government’s Faith Engagement Advisor, Colin Bloom, who will explain the purpose of the review as well as taking your questions. We will also hear from Francis Davis, professor of Religion, Communities and Public Policy at the University of Birmingham (with whom we are working in partnership to host this webinar).
Many people of faith feel that government and policymakers do not understand the perspectives of religious believers. Well this is our chance to have a say, to have our voices heard, and to tell the Church’s story.
Format
BRENDEN THOMPSON | Welcome, Housekeeping, Introductions (5 minutes)
COLIN BLOOM | Input on the Independent Faith Review (15 minutes)
PROF FRANCIS DAVIS | Response (5 minutes)
Q&A | (30 minutes)
Guest Speakers
Colin Bloom
Colin Bloom has held a substantial number of roles in politics which have focussed on working towards greater representation of faith in politics. His previous roles have included: Executive Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship and Director of Christians in Politics These previous roles have allowed Mr Bloom to develop and demonstrate skills that have helped to promote the fair and equal treatment of faith and religion in politics. As Faith Engagement Adviser, Colin is leading the review into how best the government should engage with faith groups in England.
PROFESSOR FRANCIS DAVIS
Francis Davis is a professor of Religion, Communities and Public Policy at the University of Birmingham.
Francis works at the intersection of business, civil society, and central and local governments. He is also Chair of Finance and non-exec director for an NHS Trust, a retained advisor to CIPFA’s consultancy, Co-Chaired the Mayor of West Midlands Faith and Social Cohesion Summit and am Director of Public Policy for the Edward Cadbury Centre where he leads the MA in Religion, Politics and Society.