Waltham Forest hosted a citizens' assembly on the rise in hate crime in their area and across London. Members were asked what work could be done collectively to stop hate and ensure everyone can feel welcome and safe in the borough.
Problems and Purpose
The Waltham Forest Citizens' Assembly (CA) examined the issue of hate incidents in the borough, aiming to help the community find ideas for how to end hate incidents, so everyone feels equally welcome. Following testing, the central question for the citizens’ assembly was defined as:
‘Waltham Forest is a diverse and vibrant borough, however hate incidents are on the rise across London. How can we work together to stop hate and ensure everyone can feel equally welcome and safe in our Borough?’
Background History and Context
The Citizens’ Assembly was called in response to an unprecedented rise in hate incidents across the UK. In Waltham Forest, a survey found that 86% of residents agreed that this was a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together. It is described as a place with a proud history of welcoming people to live. The council organised the CA as they felt more could be done to stop hate and build a community where everyone was equally welcome and safe.
The local government worked closely with various partners on the CA, including the police, health service, schools and colleges.
In addition to the Citizen Assembly, a survey was conducted of anyone who had experience of hate incidents in the borough, the results of which were communicated through social media and a newsletter.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The assembly was funded as a pilot through a national scheme by the UK government. The council worked with four independent organisations to deliver the assembly:
- The Democratic Society (‘Demsoc’) is a UK-wide not-for-profit organisation that promotes participation and dialogue in democracy. Demsoc ran the Citizens Assembly and produced a report on the outcomes for the Council.
- The Sortition Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the use of randomly selected groups of people in decision-making. They were responsible for recruiting a group of people that represents Waltham Forest’s diversity.
- The Involve Foundation is a UK-wide public participation charity. Involve provided oversight for the event. Both Demsoc and Involve provided impartial and independent advice on the structure of the Assembly sessions and were responsible for the process.
- Breaking Blue is a research and insight company which has run the survey ahead of the Citizens Assembly in order to gather evidence from people who have experienced hate incidents in the borough.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The Sortition Foundation helped to recruit participants for the CA. 10,000 randomly selected residents were approached; 45 participants were then selected to represent the diversity of Waltham Forest, based on criteria of area, age, gender, disability, and ethnicity.
Participants were paid £375 to attend all five sessions, with further reimbursement of reasonable transport costs. The council were committed to ensuring accessibility to the assembly, including providing interpretation services and hearing loops.
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The role of the Advisory Panel was to review the content and structure of the Assembly so those taking part get the information and evidence on all the issues and can deliberate them properly.
The panel provided advice and oversight to make sure the Assembly’s plans, evidence and materials were accurate, balanced and unbiased. Their specific tasks included:
- Advising on evidence for the Assembly, including suggesting experts and materials and making sure the evidence is fair and balanced
- Acting as a sounding board for potential activities or decisions about the process or content, including advising on the scope of the Assembly
- Acting as an informal ambassador for the Assembly and helping promote it within and outside Waltham Forest
The core members of the Advisory Panel were:
- Professor Liz Kelly - Professor of Sexualised Violence at London Metropolitan University
- Dr Aaron Winter - Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of East London
- Emily Cherry – Internet Watch Foundation
- Professor Graham Smith - Professor of Politics at the University of Westminster
- Superintendent Waheed Khan - Metropolitan Police Lead Responsible Officer for Hate Crime
They were invited to be on the panel because they are experts either on hate crime, intolerance, online discrimination, or in participatory democracy. They also utilised a wider range of experts throughout the process to make sure expertise is provided across key areas.
Political figures were excluded from taking part in the Assembly as members or providers of evidence.
A series of questions around hate incidents were tested with staff and residents, as well as an advisory panel of experts. As a result the central question was defined as:
‘Waltham Forest is a diverse and vibrant borough, however hate incidents are on the rise across London. How can we work together to stop hate and ensure everyone can feel equally welcome and safe in our Borough?’
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Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
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Analysis and Lessons Learned
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See Also
Oxford Citizens Assembly on Climate Change
References
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