The Role of ‘Unity’ in Refugee Communities: A Case Study of Integration Mechanisms in Leeds (UK)

From anecdotal discussions with members of refugee communities in Leeds, this research has developed the hypothesis of a refugee-made integration mechanism called ‘unity’ helping to support and further integrate these communities through the facilitation of social networks and accumulation of social capital. As such, this paper is an experiment assessing the positive impact on integration that ‘unity’ has for the communities who practice it. Thus, this study examines the role of ‘unity’ as a mechanism facilitating the creation and maintenance of social networks in refugee community organisations (RCOs) in Leeds.

In order to test the hypothesis, this research evidence-checks the role of ‘unity’ comparing it to established literature on integration mechanisms and social capital theories, additionally bringing case studies and evidence from interviews conducted with eight refugee leaders of the communities.

The key findings of this study confirmed that ‘unity’ plays two roles simultaneously as a mechanism for integration by acting as an ignition for new organisations and networks, but also by being the glue maintaining the community together and continuously offering support towards integration. ‘Unity’ operates within the ‘shared values’ of the communities and turns these values into sustained and valuable networks. The networks then become eased pathways to achieving ‘marks and means’, which is the last stage of a successful integration within frameworks used by research and policies in the global north.