Our Bringing People Together event took place on Thursday 21st May 2009.

The day was full of passion, lively discussion and great ideas and the energy was fantastic all day.

Over 20 separate workshops took place and they have been pulled together into a report of the day, which can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page.

Or have a look at the YouTube clip of the day by clicking here: Bringing People Together - Video 

You can now also continue the debate online by visiting the Harmonious Communities online discussion forum: http://www.leedsinitiative.org/forum.aspx?id=224&g=topics&f=3378

The discussions that took place at the 21st May event were:

Session One

1. Leeds Faith Forum;
2. Integration. Is it really happening?;
3. How ordinary people could challenge negative reporting in the media;
4. The World in our communities (Leeds) - Music and Arts Festivals;
5. I am right, you are right;
6. Students in Leeds;
7. The Rotary Club - what can we offer?;
8. Bringing groups together in conflict (to talk);
9. If poverty of aspiration is an issue, how do we encourage people to realise their talents?;
10. Using new technology such as social networking sites to bring people together (i.e. actually to physically meet each other) - to enable communities to help each other.

Session Two

1. Linking communities through food growing;
2. Increasing participation and engagement in the arts, its place in the community;
3. What is prison for?;
4. Instead of mental health problems, or or, or instead;
5. Connection / disconnection;
6. Black people aren't welcome on white estates. Discuss;
7. Seacroft - Arts Festival for young people, find out about it, what could you do to raise young peoples aspirations;
8. Love, Hate and Indifference.

Session Three

1. Bringing people together, how much is about big events and how how much is about small scale ongoing work? How do we get the balance? How do we get more people involved?;
2. Globalisation is dead. Local Communities don't have all the answers and resources on their own. Is there a third way?;
3. Leeds is a large city in the UK. How can it influence national and UK policy?;
4. Starting something in LS19, LS20 - Rawdon, Yeadon, Guiseley;
5. Can we risk not being polite as a precondition for usual dialogue?;
6. Community Organising.