Regional Agenda
The regional agenda is a fast developing one. Historically there have been different perceptions about what regions are but, with the governments push towards a more devolved and decentralised government, with the support of English regions and the rolling out of the “modernising local democracy agenda”, more and more strategic and policy decisions will be taken at the regional level. The most notable additions to the regional structures were Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Regional Assemblies. Government sees RDAs as key to addressing the “economic deficit” in regions and driving up regions Gross Domestic Product to better compete with European regions. Regional Assemblies were initially seen as addressing the “democratic deficit” created when RDAs were set up accountable directly to ministers. Additionally government has placed an increasing emphasis on the participation of the voluntary and community sectors and local communities in tackling social exclusion both through contributing towards policy and in the provision of services.
Refugee Children’s’ Integration Project – R-CHiP – Phase 1 Report
The R-CHiP Report which can be found at: http://www.wmlga.gov.uk/page.asp?id=385 is part of a 3-phase action-research based project jointly undertaken by Marchbid Ltd and the West Midlands Consortium for Asylum & Refugee Support. The overriding aim is that the findings of this project will lead to the development and implementation of a regional integration strategy for refugee children living in the West Midlands.
Growing Up in the West Midlands is working with Marchbid to explore ways of enaging children and young people from around the region in the next phase of this project.