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• Winning hearts and minds in the next 24 hours critical Yesterday we hosted a speech by the Home Secretary, who called for greater partnership in tackling terrorism. 24 hours later, his words have a new relevance. I have just written an article for the Guardian arguing that John Reid now needs to put those words into practice. You can read it here.In 24 hours time Muslims will gather for Friday prayers, when they will digest what has happened and what it could mean for them. The government and police need to ensure talk of partnership doesn't... continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 10th August 2006 in Bringing it Home
• Chinese Whispers Don't get me wrong, I find the concept of an 'axis of evil' as bonkers as the next person. The idea that the world could be divided into two - the good guys and the bad guys - sounds like something straight out of a cowboy movie (hmm).But when I was giving a talk to Chinese civil servants this morning I was reminded of the fact that, while we are able to dismiss it as simplistic nonsense, this piece of rhetoric is influencing the way some Chinese view the West and the... continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 7th August 2006 Comments (4)
• Getting tougher on terrorism, tougher on the causes of terrorism?... From the other side of the Atlantic, we instinctively feel that the US has totally over-reacted to the threat of terror. Sitting in my hotel room just around the corner from the White House, and after scores of discussions about the Bush administration's record in this area, this instinct seems pretty spot on. What's more, I'm sure that the security at Heathrow on Thursday morning will remind me that we are not far behind that ourselves. continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 18th July 2006 in Bringing it Home
• Trashing designer flip flops in the name of world peace So, today I made my way through the white tent of security that is the front door to the UN and proudly stepped into the centre of global politics. I was met by collages, photo exhibitions and quite famous sculptures and made my way up to the 38th floor of the UN bui䁬ding, and into Kofi Anan's Secretariat office. continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 13th July 2006 Comments (5)
• UN: Uniting Nations? Sam Jones and I are currently in New York talking to people about how culture can smooth the way for diplomacy and good relations between countries, even those who are barely speaking to one another across the negotiating table. continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 12th July 2006
• Promoting Procreation... It seems that the Hungarians are looking west for policy innovation. The Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsany has just announced the introduction of baby bonds to encourage Hungarians to have... bigger families. Sound familar? Gordon Brown introduced the same thing in the UK in 2003.For anyone interested in the latest policy debates in Hungary, check out Demos Hungary, our sister organisation based in Budapest. continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 28th November 2005
• Identity and terrorism - a step too far?... In a speech today he argues that we need a new British identity, one that allows us to be "British first and British last, while staunchly adhering to our respective faiths". Of course we need to open up this debate, and Demos has plans for some work in the area in the Autumn and into next year. But Howard misunderstands the nature of the challenge we face when he says seemingly makes a direct link between a crisis of identity and suicide bombers: "If we can establish this strong sense of... continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 17th August 2005
• Business seat on COBRA?... Joining Forces: From national security to networked security, a new Demos report out this morning, argues that the government needs to work much more closely with the business community to tackle terrorism and other security threats. 85 per cent of terrorist attacks are against the business community, so it's important they are part of the response. It's covered in The Times, which majors on the suggestion that Sir Digby Jones, Director-General of the CBI, should sit on COBRA, the government... continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 15th August 2005
• Would a new sense of 'Britishness' really stop terrorism?... In the light of the London bombings, the debate about Britishness and identity has really hotted up. How could four men who apparently passed the Norman Tebbitt cricket test blow themselves up, and take 52 innocent fellow-citizens with them? And why do there seem to be so many more waiting in the wings?This article from Scotland on Sunday highlights the government's institutional response - citizenship classes, pledges of allegience and the like. But can these types of responses really foster... continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 8th August 2005
• People Flow just keeps on flowing... Demos's 2003 offering, People Flow, has recently been covered on Italian website Caffe Europa.You can read the article here. continue reading Posted by Rachel Briggs on 17th June 2004 Comments (1)

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