What called you to be involved in the Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope project?
As a British Pakistani Christian, I’ve been concerned with questions of identity and belonging from a very young age. I’ve felt connected to each of these communities while at the same time feeling excluded. These experiences have given me an understanding of navigating a plural society, especially when parts of your identity make you feel like you don’t belong, even in spaces that should feel like home.
These experiences have also shown me how important it is to have genuine connections with people. Curiosity, openness and the willingness to understand people who are different to you has transformative power and can break down barriers.
This is what has called me to this project, because I want to see a society where everyone can feel a genuine sense of belonging, no matter what their background or identity is. Being involved in this project means shaping a society where diversity is truly valued, misunderstandings are turned into meaningful conversations and hate is replaced by hope.
What does Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope mean to you?
Countering Hate means challenging divisions that exist in communities. These divisions might be stereotypes, assumptions or simply a lack of meaningful interaction between different groups of people. And its not only about responding to division but addressing the conditions that allows this to happen in the first place.
Cultivating Hope means to build space for connection and to bridge the gap between people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. It means a societal vision where everyone feels heard, seen and valued. It means to restore the belief that we can all live well together and for people to look to the future knowing they have a place in it.
What are key themes that you will be focusing on?
- Speaking Out – Our first theme is speaking out. This theme considers how clergy, lay people and communities can be better equipped to speak out against divisive narratives. I would like to see leaders in our churches feel confident when having engaging conversations that encompass the core Christian vision of belonging. I’m really keen to see how having these conversations can develop and strengthen relationships in communities.
- Supporting Vulnerable Communities – Something that this project recognises is that communities that are experiencing high levels of deprivation are often more vulnerable to being influenced by divisive narratives. This theme is about addressing the root causes through listening to the concerns in these communities and working with local churches to ensure that basic needs are met. This will build resilience in these communities as well as implement long-term responses that replace hate with hope.
How can people get involved in Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope?
There will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved in the areas we are working in over the next three years.
Right now the best way to get involved is to sign up to the Together Liverpool newsletter, watch out for updates on this website, and follow the progress of the project on Together Liverpool’s social media – on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also pray for our work. Thank you!
Picture caption: Merab Gill, Project Lead – Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope, pictured with Project Co-ordinator Natalie Rodil