What do Britons have in common?

What do Britons have in common?

23rd April 2009

Why does Britain face a difficult challenge around integration today? Is it because, as some claim, we have too many immigrants? Or because of Britain’s liberal sexual mores that seemingly contradict religious teachings? Or is it because our shared national space —pubs — appear inaccessible to some? Or are democracy and the secular state unacceptable to those who want to govern in God’s name? Or do Asian forced and arranged marriages abroad create generational tensions here in Britain? Or even more fundamentally — is it the lack of a shared sense of history, perhaps?
Are these differences irreconcilable? Ultimately, how do we overcome these and other problems and build a Britain in which future generations will be proud?

On St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday, to mark our first anniversary Quilliam will be hosting a debate with a unique panel to address these crucial questions and offer a vision of a better Britain.

Watch here - Opening Remarks

Watch here - Q & A on Quilliam's Progress, Part 1, Part 2

Guest speakers:

How do we build a Britain of shared values?
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Watch here - Part 1, Part 2

Being British — what it’s not
Michael Gove MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families

Watch here - Part 1, Part 2

A sense of Britishness from an eclectic Muslim woman
Parvin Ali OBE, Britain’s first female Muslim chaplain and founder of FATIMA Network

Watch here - Part 1, Part 2

British Muslims and participative citizenship: problems and potential solutions
Dr Tahir Abbas, sociologist, University of Birmingham

Watch here - Part 1, Part 2

Chair:  Ed Husain, author of ‘The Islamist’ and co-founder of Quilliam

Watch here - Closing Remarks

Quilliam directors presented highlights of our work over the last year - Quilliam's Progress Report 2008 - 2009 can be found here.