The APS has been involved in many issues relating to social cohesion over the last couple of decades. These issues include:
- Multiculturalism and citizenship
- Racism
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Violence
- Representations of ethic groups in the media
Work has included writing position papers, review papers, submissions, information sheets, and convening roundtables.
Of particular note, In 2016, the APS President convened a roundtable on social cohesion in a multicultural society as part of his Presidential Initiative for that year.
The roundtable brought key experts together to identify how psychology can contribute to promoting social cohesion in a multicultural society.
The roundtable made recommendations including:
- Convening a psychologist-led reference group to oversee and guide ongoing work related to social cohesion
- Developing a set of multimedia resources and guidelines that can be used by psychologists as well as the public in schools, communities, and with policy makers and the media
- Developing training and workshops on the topic for psychologists and other professions and community leaders that include skill development on how to talk with others about social cohesion
- Conducting advocacy work
- Generating media (APS releases and statements) which challenge misinformation and promote social cohesion and diversity.