The Thames Gateway Forum: ‘Faith in the Gateway’

27/11/07

On Wednesday 28 November, the Diocese of London will play an active role at this year’s Thames Gateway Forum. The Diocese, along with other churches has organised two seminars at the event, which will explore the role and responsibilities of the faith sector within the Thames Gateway development.

The annual event, held at London’s Excel Centre, brings together key representatives from both the public and private sectors involved in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway and Olympic region.

The Thames Gateway is an area of land east of London that runs on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. The area, which includes a large proportion of brownfield land, has been designated a national priority for urban regeneration.

The first seminar, in the morning, will discuss opportunities for local churches to become integral to the regeneration work that is being undertaken in the area, with speakers including The Bishop of Stepney, The Rt Revd Stephen Oliver.

This will be followed by a second seminar, in the afternoon, which will hear from speakers including Judith Armitt, Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway at the Department of Communities and Local Government, who will discuss the positive role faith groups can play in the strategic development of the region.

The Diocese hopes that these seminars will raise the awareness of the importance and significance of the Church within the Thames Gateway, whilst creating a dialogue with local planning and development partners, regarding the role of the faith sector within this significant area of regeneration

This year's event will have over 250 exhibitors present, with the main Forum hearing from over 130 top-level speakers including the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, the designer Wayne Hemmingway and the Chief Executive of English Heritage, Simon Thurley.

For more information visit https://secure.firstconf.com/eventadvantage/thames/schedule.asp?FullProgram=yes.