Social Engagement: the ability to work constructively within and between social groups to create more resilient and sustainable communities. Juliet Millican, Community University Partnership Programme, University of Brighton
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In a world of diminishing resources, climate instability, and increased globalisation, the temptation to retreat into ‘like’ groups in the competition for survival has the potential to generate increased conflict and escalating violence. The inability to see the world from the vantage point of others is a key factor behind both local and civil conflict. It can also lead to less violent but equally harmful problems of alienation, marginalisation and exclusion. We develop our identity by defining ourselves in relation to like and unlike groups but this can quickly lead to assumptions and stereotyping as people struggle to make sense of who they are. Understanding how identity categories are created and how labels can be used to situate people as insiders or outsiders is important in creating more resilient and sustainable communities.
