22 October 2009
Yesterday we held a multifaith recession conference which we called: We're all in together!
This brought together faith groups from across the country to share ideas about how they can help support people in the current economic climate and provided a chance for public authorities to hear more about the impact of the recession on the local and national communities and the issues facing their congregations.
As a council we face huge challenges - delivering high quality services on an ever-tightening budget. There has been much speculation about how we got into the current economic crisis, and even more about how we get out of it. Religions clearly have a role to play here.
They give us a significant critique of our current financial systems. It is indeed about time that we rediscovered the things that make for a happier and healthier society and move away from the excessive greed and excess that is all too common. We need to live a simper way of life where people matter more than things. Those of us who are parents know only too well how hard it is to bring up children with the kind of values we want when they are bombarded with message that it's what you have that makes you truly happy.
Also faith communities can also tell us a great amount about how people are feeling; the impact the recession is having on them, their families and their congregations. We heard a lot about the unmet and sometimes hidden needs the recession can create; the psychological and spiritual impact – which faith communities can often be well placed to identify and respond to.
Lastly, there is a huge amount of work that religious organisations across the borough are doing to respond to our challenging financial climate and it was great to hear about what is happening and think about how the council can do more to support this work.
Cllr Peter Thompson
Leader
London Borough of Hounslow