Firemen in action during riots in TottenhamHow best to understand and respond to the recent riots in England has been the cause of much debate and concern both with decision-makers and the media. The situation challenges us to consider what can be done to reverse the trends that cause such unrest and lead to a breakdown in ‘civil behaviour’ and also to recognise the positive response of those who came forward to mitigate the impact of the riots.

Initiatives of Change (IofC) UK, together with the recently established Civil Society Forum and The Cordoba Foundation, plan to hold a one day forum to understand different perspectives on the underlying civic, moral, political and social challenges and explore what we can do individually and collectively in response.

The keynote address will be given by Dr Peter Selby, President of the National Council for Independent Monitoring Boards. He was previously Bishop of Worcester, Bishop to HM Prisons and a Church Commissioner. His book, Grace and Mortgage, opens people's eyes to the corrosive effect of debt on the poor and the environment.

The Forum will be held at the IofC UK centre at 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1RD on 1 February 2012. As individual citizens, communities, and NGOs and government organisations have been collecting thoughts and gathering together in and towards action, the event will bring people together to take the thinking further, share understanding and look at what can be done.

We will explore the underlying issues, particularly the challenge of re-engagement both practically and morally, approaches to tackling the main challenges, identify specific ways forward, and consider how all participants can make a contribution, individually and collectively.

Double decker bus burning during 2011 riotsThe day will be a combination of inter-active presentations, and large and small group dialogue. It will create space to reflect and explore ways to tackle dis-enfranchisement and dis-engagement in civil society and include consideration of what stopped the violence starting and spreading in different areas

The forum will focus on seeing where we may need to build and adapt our approaches, and to find action that we can take in our own communities, and organisations.

The organisers are inviting individuals and groups including community and faith-based groups, NGOs and government organisations, who can make a particular contribution.

To ensure workable numbers for the venue and the participatory nature of the event, attendance will be by application. Notification will be given at least four weeks before the event. A pdf of the event can also be downloaded.

If you wish to attend, please download the application form below and send to either Esther Ridsdale or Don de Silva.

Initiatives of Change is a worldwide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds who are committed to transforming society through changes in human motives and behaviour starting with their own.

The Civil Society Forum provides an open space for leaders from all sectors to engage on the practical challenges in building civil society. It aims to support and stimulate strategic thinking and action to address the challenges and be a catalyst for positive collaboration.

The Cordoba Foundation is an independent Think Tank specialising in public relations, research and government policies affecting commmunities in Britain and beyond and is a strong advocate of intercultural dialogue.

Burning2Learn is an education provider that works with businesses and educationalists. Through a variety of creative programmes, the organisation helps students to build their communication and social skills, while enhancing their self-esteem and aspirations.

The government has created a riots panel, under the office of the Deputy Prime Minister:
http://riotspanel.independent.gov.uk/

The interim report of the government riots panel can be found here:
http://www.5daysinaugust.co.uk/

In a unique collaboration, the Guardian and London School of Economics (LSE) interviewed 270 people who rioted in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester and Salford.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/05/anger-police-fuelled-riots-study

The November issues of the Quaker magazine, The Friend, published an article by Howard Grace on the riots in England. The article points out that the causes of the riots are varied and complex, but the strategies that are being proposed to deal with the causes are addressing symptoms, rather than the underlying disease: what David Cameron refers to as the "broken society". The article also describes the impact of the IofC UK's schools programme. Download article here in PDF.

Download in PDF an outline programme, including questions that will be being addressed during the day

Download in PDF a background paper summarizing analysis of the issues from range of different reports issued over recent months. This also contains more information on the focus for the forum.

Download in PDF a ‘map’ of possible underlying issues and ‘factors determining a positive experience of life’ generated from reviewing recent reports.

IofC's London Centre

24 Greencoat Place London SW1P 1RD Tel: 020 7798 6000