The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for public sector bodies partnering with faith communities to support the marginalised and vulnerable. Where this idea may have been met with squeamishness or seen as optional in the past, the pandemic brought the assets of faith-based responses to community needs to the fore and saw partnership working flourish.
This was all captured in the Keeping the Faith reports commissioned by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society.
But what about 2023? How has partnership working progressed since the pandemic? How are faith groups and statutory partners working together to respond to the cost-of-living crisis? What policy developments are underway to embed partnership working long-term?
Join us for an online discussion with expert theorists, policymakers, and practitioners on the opportunities and challenges for faith-public partnerships in Britain today. Featuring Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Prof Jim McManus (outgoing President of the Association of Directors of Public Health), and a variety of other speakers, this session will involve a discussion of the current status of partnership working in the UK, the main opportunities and challenges ahead, and how we can all encourage partnership working to support the communities we live and work in to flourish.
Panellists:
- Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, MP for East Ham and Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society
- Prof Jim McManus, Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council and outgoing President of the Association of Directors of Public Health
- Prof Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Professor of Sikh Studies, University of Birmingham
- Jehangir Malik, Policy and Engagement Director , Mercy Mission UK
- Paul Woodman, Church Leader and Charity Representative, Love Southampton
- Nadia Khan, Communications and Engagement Manager: Climate Action, Brent Council
