A call for a new look at race and faith relations was launched this week with the publication of an agenda-setting document by the Guardian newspaper.

Put together by a new group calling itself New Generation Network, and spear-headed by AIM magazine editor Sunny Hundal, it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Race Relations Act.

It calls for "a new approach to tackle discrimination and prejudice and forge a fresh approach to building a modern Britain".

Principle signatories to the manifesto include the writers Ziauddin Sardar, Hari Kunzru, Sukhdev Sandu, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Gautam Malkani, Dr Robert Beckford, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti and Dave Hill. Barristers Maya Sikand, Rehna Azim and Maha Sardar also feature. The full list of signatories can be found here.

Signatories from the media industry include Pedro Carvalho (FNIK), DJ Bobby Friction, Shihab Salim (editor-in-chief, Asiana magazine), Martin Bright (political editor, New Statesman), Allan Jenkins (editor, Observer magazine), Reem Maghribi (editor-in-chief, Sharq magazine), Moiz Vaz (Brasian), writer Avie Luthra, Jatinder Verma (Tara Arts), journalist Urmee Khan, Dhiren Katwa (associate editor, Asian Voice), filmmaker Pratibha Parmar and others.

The manifesto says: "We are optimistic that people of different backgrounds can live together in our society. Thus we want to ensure that the national conversation is not dominated by our fears or polarised voices. We need an approach that discards the older politics of representation through government sanctioned gate-keepers.

"One that rejects prejudice from both majority and minority communities, especially religious intolerance, and finds a common cause in equality and social justice with all Britons."

The document, titled 'Race and Faith: a new agenda', was first published on the Guardian's Comment is Free website.

It's stated principles are: an end to communal politics; against prejudice; for equality; freedom of speech; respecting people's multiple identities; a new national conversation about race.

Simultaneously, the Guardian newspaper published an article by Sunny Hundal laying out why the debate needed to be shifted from "the extreme ends of the spectrum", and how "self-appointed community leaders" were harming race and faith relations.

The Guardian's website is hosting a week of debate on the issue.