Council signs Faith Covenant to promote cooperation and understanding
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and faith leaders have signed a covenant affirming their commitment to working together and strengthening relations between the borough’s diverse communities.
Faith Covenants were established in 2014 by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society to end mistrust and encourage partnership working between local authorities and faith groups.
The agreement, which was signed on Tuesday 28 January at Focolare Centre for Unity in Welwyn Garden City by 17 faith leaders and the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Councillor Frank Marsh, is based on principles of mutual respect and understanding that will guide engagement between faith communities and public services.
It commits the council and faith groups to building trust and relationships, creating opportunities to share learning and knowledge, and seeking to bring people together to serve the community - particularly the most disadvantaged. Faith groups and the council will use the covenant to develop activities around uniting communities.
Councillor Max Holloway, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Executive Member for Economic Development and Climate Change, said:
“This covenant strengthens our commitment to working in partnership with the faith sector in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.
“As a council, we are committed to celebrating our diverse cultures and communities. This agreement will enable us to build on the work we have already undertaken with the faith sector by providing a clear set of principles and guidelines that will help us to build more cohesive communities and better serve our residents.”
Councillor Jane Quinton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Leisure and Community, said:
“We are proud of our borough’s diversity and recognise the important role that faith groups play in our communities. They are valuable partners for the council, helping us to promote cohesion and understanding, provide key services, and improve the lives of our residents.
“Signing this covenant demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working with the faith sector in an open, transparent and respectful way for the benefit of the whole borough.”
The council already has a strong record of working with the faith sector, including regular engagements in the planning and organisation of events such as Holocaust Memorial Day.
The covenant supports the aims and principles of the Welwyn Hatfield Inter Faith Group, which was established to promote tolerance, understanding and mutual respect between the various religious groups in the borough.
Valerie Skottowe, Chair of the Welwyn Hatfield Inter Faith Group, said:
“On the 28 January, faith leaders in the borough came together to sign the Covenant with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to promote open, practical modes of working together to strengthen community cohesion.
“It is fitting that this took place during the 20th anniversary year of the founding of Welwyn Hatfield Interfaith, which was set up at the behest of the council and has worked consistently to promote better understanding between the faith communities.”