Walsall Council leader Mike Bird has signed the Faith Convenant on behalf of Walsall Council at an event at Walsall College earlier this month.
The Faith Covenant represents a collaborative commitment between faith groups, local authorities, and various stakeholders to uphold a set of principles promoting practical cooperation on all fronts.
This pledge, endorsed by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of WMCA, underscores WMCA’s determination to collaborate more closely and consistently with diverse faith communities. The goal is to create a more interconnected, prosperous, equitable, sustainable, and healthier region.
The formal signing ceremony occurred at Walsall College, where leaders from Sandwell and Walsall councils also joined, with Dudley expressing their intention to follow suit. Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Solihull, and Coventry have already pledged their support.
Councillor Mike Bird said: “I’m delighted to sign this Faith Covenant and it underlines Walsall Council’s ongoing commitment to celebrating cultural diversity and building positive relationships and partnerships with faith groups. Faith communities make a positive difference across the borough, and we are committed to working together with partners to serve our residents.”
This milestone establishes the West Midlands as a frontrunner in engaging with faith groups, building on the robust inter-faith relationships fostered by WMCA through the Faith Strategic Partnership Group.
Mayor Andy Street said, “Recognising the significant role faith communities play across our region has been a priority since I assumed office. Ensuring all communities have a strong voice aligns with our vision for a fairer, healthier, and more prosperous West Midlands. Through our Faith Strategic Partnership Group and, more recently, becoming the first combined authority in the country to endorse the Faith Covenant, we are actively strengthening inter-faith collaboration. But we acknowledge that there is more to be done, and we are committed to working in harmony with our dynamic and diverse region in the years to come.”
WMCA initiated the Faith Strategic Partnership Group to bring together representatives from various religions and ethnicities in the region. The group has identified priority areas and developed strategies to address them from a faith-based perspective. Priority issues include homelessness, education, youth, mental health, employment, poverty, community relations, and leadership.
Concurrently with the Faith Covenant signing, the Faith Strategic Partnership, in collaboration with The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, hosted a conference titled “Faith & Virtues: A Virtue-Based Approach to Interfaith Relations in the West Midlands” at Edgbaston Stadium on September 20th.
The Mayor inaugurated the conference, which included workshops such as “Finding Common Ground,” “Shared Virtues as a Force for Good,” and “Looking to the Future.”
Amrick Singh Ubhi, Chair of the Faith Strategic Partnership Group, Chair of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, Birmingham, and Director of Civic Engagement and Partnerships at the Nishkam Centre, emphasized the vital role faith groups play in supporting public agencies. He stressed that faith groups are trusted partners with deep community roots and long-term perspectives. He highlighted the importance of building relationships and trust for long-term engagement and collaboration, emphasizing that faith groups contribute to the common good of society.
The chair expressed gratitude to Faith Action, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, the All-Party Parliamentary Faith Group, the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, and Birmingham City Council for their pioneering role in adopting the covenant nationally in 2014. Cllr Kerrie Carmichael, WMCA Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Communities and Leader of Sandwell Council, emphasized the region’s diversity and the commitment to inclusivity, equality, and diversity to improve the lives of local residents and ensure everyone benefits from the region’s success.