The interdependence between the members of a society, shared loyalties, and solidarity (Durkheim, quoted by Jensen (1998) Canad. Policy Res. Netwk. Stud. F03). ‘A cohesive community is a community that has naturally many cross-links, where people from different race, age, background, feel free and happy to mix together in housing, in education, [and] in leisure facilities’ (UK Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Sixth Report). Nagel and Staeheli (2008) Soc. & Cult. Geog. 9, 4 see the social cohesion agenda as ‘marked by the assertion that the host society should define the terms of integration, and that the primary responsibility for integration lies with immigrants and minorities’. Yuval-Davis et al. (2005) Ethnic & Racial Studs 28 see the concern with social cohesion as an attempt to limit the exclusion of groups.

www.coe.int/t/dg3/Social Cohesion - Council of Europe Council of Europe website.