Phoenix: An Inter-Community Initiative

Phoenix: An Inter-Community Initiative for a New Centre Ground explores the moral, philosophical and practical underpinnings for developing a more robust and confident centre ground capable of marginalising different ideological extremes. Phoenix brings together bloggers, activists, opinion formers and community leaders to sketch out an alternative narrative relating to diversity, social cohesion, our values and norms, and to challenge those polarising narratives prevalent within public discourse today.

Phoenix constructs a programme of work based on three strategic areas of activity: policy work, social action, and debate and public outreach. Phoenix is committed to addressing divisive issues such as gender equality, sexual orientation, and the role of religion, and is also working to develop a unique format and inclusive space for facilitating difficult discussions.

'Phoenix is a group of professionals, thinkers and activists – a multi-coloured group of a variety of religious, non-religious and ideational backgrounds. We happily disagree on most things but we do agree that we want to engage in a ‘new conversation’ around issues such as diversity, identity and solidarity. We do not feel that diversity necessarily erodes solidarity. The human spirit can find ways of embracing the reality of diversity and at the same time nurturing strong, cohesive and coherent societies'.

Happy Christmas 4ALL Campaign

Every year in the UK, our attention is drawn to stories in the popular media proclaiming that some local authority is attempting to ‘ban Christmas’ due to ‘political correctness’. This campaign, conducted in December 2011, aimed to demonstrate the diversity of non-Christian support and respect for Christmas, as an important part of the cultural landscape of the nation, and to surprise the wider public by debunking myths and assumptions that are widely held regarding some religious and ethnic minority groups. The campaign was mainly social media led, but also promoted real work on the ground – encouraging people to engage in charitable work such as helping out at soup kitchens, or visiting neighbours that may be lonely during the festive season.

The campaign achieved huge success on Facebook, gaining well over one thousand members and garnering extensive media coverage across the UK. The Happy Christmas 4ALL Campaign was featured in the Guardian on Christmas Eve.

You can still click here to show your support via Facebook.