Near Neighbours

The Christian Muslim Forum is organising a National Women’s Conference, as part of the Near Neighbours programme planned for March 2012.  It is open to those interested in interfaith or want to make a positive difference in their communities and localities.  The idea is to bring people together who are near neighbours in communities that are diverse so they can get to know each other better, build relationships as people and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community they live in.

Why a conference?

In order to understand the localities, listen to the valuable personal stories, experiences and issues that are of importance to Women locally. Focus groups “listening exercise” were organised in the near Neighbouring areas such as Birmingham, Bradford, Leicester and East London. The focus group “listening exercise” will inform the National Women’s conference.  In addition, there is an opportunity for us to listen to the Women's experiences and views and that may help us to inform the work of the Christian Muslim Forum in the future.

The Individual’s facilitating and completing the write ups of the focus groups were local Christian and Muslim Women who have the skills and experience of this work and in the respective areas that focus groups are taking place in Leicester, Bradford, Burnley, Loughborough, East London, and Birmingham.  A report is being compiled, including all the views, experiences and discussions of women who took part in the focus groups, and information about each locality.  The report will be launched at the conference that is being organised for March 2012.

Background on women’s work at the Christian Muslim Forum

The Christian Muslim Forum has been involved in a series of local and national initiatives over the years that have included a number of Women’s events. We recognise that the role and contribution of women in the private and public realms of society is crucial for the future prosperity of any society,  therefore the necessary spaces need to be created to enable these dynamic voices to be heard.  Our work has indicated that we have a responsibility as an organisation to ensure that we include the participation of young people and Women in our workplace.  We have also learned that local Women value the opportunity to get together on a national platform and connect with other's doing similar work. As such the organisation of a Women Conference is a way of putting what we have heard from Women into practice. 

Who is Funding the Project?

This work is being funded by the Near Neighbours Project in turn funded by the Church Urban Fund. The Christian Muslim Forum is carrying out this particular strand of the work.

Please click on link below to find out more about the Near Neighbours programme as well as other events and activities organised.

[http://christianmuslimforum.org/index.php/working-together/nearneighbours]