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What is community cohesion?

The Welsh Assembly Government supports the UK Government’s formal definition of community cohesion published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2008.

Community Cohesion is what must happen in all communities to enable different groups of people to get on well together. A key contributor to community cohesion is integration which is what must happen to enable new residents and existing residents to adjust to one another.

Our vision of an integrated and cohesive community is based on three foundations:

  • People from different backgrounds having similar life opportunities;
  • People knowing their rights and responsibilities;
  • People trusting one another and trusting local institutions to act fairly.

And three key ways of living together:

  • A shared future vision and sense of belonging;
  • A focus on what new and existing communities have in common, alongside recognition of the value of diversity;
  • Strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds.