Agree to which different groups in a society can live together and share common values.

Social cohesion requires low degrees of social exclusion, intra-community cooperation, and solidarity across communities and social groups;

Social cohesion goes beyond the level of economic homogeneity (rate of employment, salary scale, access to health and education, housing); it is also linked to the level of social inclusion;

Five dimensions to social cohesion:

  1. Belonging – isolation: that means shared values, identity, feelings of commitment;
  2. Inclusion – exclusion (access to welfare);
  3. Participation – non-involvement (in civil society);
  4. Recognition – rejection of differences (in a pluralistic society);
  5. Legitimacy – illegitimacy (trust and respect for institutions).

European centre for the development of vocational training, EU (2014). Terminology of European education and training policy Retrieved 10 december 2018, from (2nd ed). http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/Files/4117_en.pdf


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