Contact: Judith Lowndes - General Inspector - RE (02392 441518)

[email protected]

Darryl Sheppard - Development Youth Worker [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This oral report from Darryl Sheppard summarises plans to initiate a youth inter-faith forum.

1.2 This paper supports the Corporate Strategies (maximising well being and Hampshire safer and more secure for all) by supporting the Youth Interfaith project). The youth inter-faith forum addresses SACRE's responsibilities in relation to inclusion and diversity.

2. Background

2.1 Hampshire County Council has committed to setting up a young people's inter-faith project as part of its strategic plan for the county.

2.2 Strong support for this venture was given at the first meeting of the adult inter-faith forum on 14 January 2006.

2.3 Hampshire Youth Council has discussed and given their support for this project.

2.4 The project is supported by and liaises closely with the Hampshire Youth Council and youth service, the adult inter-faith forum, the ethnic minority achievement service and the rights, respect and responsibility initiative in Hampshire schools.

2.5 The project is focused upon community engagement in order to:

· inform and develop the HCC strategic partnership;

· address and challenge stereotypes of faith adherence;

· address issues of exclusion, vulnerability and social cohesion.

2.6 An oral report is presented to SACRE by Darryl Sheppard.

Recommendation

That SACRE approves the report.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB The list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.