Let’s talk diversity
“We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet—it’s also one of the most peaceful,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy at the 11th annual Diversity Forum.
“Whether we pass this legacy on to our children and their children is up to us. If we take the time to walk in someone else’s shoes, to see the world through someone else’s eyes we will be a stronger, more resilient nation and we will be better people.”
As many as 100–150 people from different ethnicities, races and communities attended the Diversity Forum, organised by the Human Rights Commission held at AUT University, Auckland on September 11.
The forum’s aim was for individuals and organisations to share ideas and good practice on how to foster positive race relations. The keynote speaker at this year’s forum was Dr Gill Hicks, a double amputee as a result of the London bombings in July 2005. In 2007, Gill founded the not-for-profit organisation M.A.D. for Peace—a platform that connects people globally and encourages us to think of 'peace' as a verb, something that we have an individual responsibility to do every day. Her work confronting violent extremism through counter narrative and communication is at the forefront of current international thinking. Her presentation was so inspiring that she promptly got invitations to more speaking engagements.
The theme for this year’s forum was ‘Empathy in the Face of Diversity’ and the speakers through their researches showed that New Zealand has a high rate of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, skin colour and race.
In her research, Gail Pacheco, AUT’s Associate Professor in Economics, found that there have been reports of discrimination even in the health sector.
As noted by Professor Edwina Pio, AUT Professor of Diversity, New Zealand, has identified more ethnicities (217) than the total number of countries in the world (196) and hence is one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Other speakers included Kimberly D’Mello, winner of the Race Unity Speech, and David Mayeda of Auckland University. In her speech, D’Mello encouraged people to be flexible to be a part of the various cultures available to us in such a diverse country. Mayeda, on the other hand, talked about the issue of racism and their videos series I too am Auckland, where he urged people to accept different minorities and ethnicities equally. Speaking at the forum, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy and Police Commissioner Mike Bush and AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Rob Allen also welcomed the forum participants.
Towards the end of the forum, community organisations such as Shanti Niwas and Gandhi Nivas, Auckland Regional Migrant Services, UMMA Trust demonstrated/cited the work they have been doing for the well-being and support of minorities and communities.
The message of the day was clear—with New Zealand becoming a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, rather than differentiate, let us blend in and live happily together celebrating our diversity.
“We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet—it’s also one of the most peaceful,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy at the 11th annual Diversity Forum.
“Whether we pass this legacy on to our children and their children is up to us. If we take the time to...
“We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet—it’s also one of the most peaceful,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy at the 11th annual Diversity Forum.
“Whether we pass this legacy on to our children and their children is up to us. If we take the time to walk in someone else’s shoes, to see the world through someone else’s eyes we will be a stronger, more resilient nation and we will be better people.”
As many as 100–150 people from different ethnicities, races and communities attended the Diversity Forum, organised by the Human Rights Commission held at AUT University, Auckland on September 11.
The forum’s aim was for individuals and organisations to share ideas and good practice on how to foster positive race relations. The keynote speaker at this year’s forum was Dr Gill Hicks, a double amputee as a result of the London bombings in July 2005. In 2007, Gill founded the not-for-profit organisation M.A.D. for Peace—a platform that connects people globally and encourages us to think of 'peace' as a verb, something that we have an individual responsibility to do every day. Her work confronting violent extremism through counter narrative and communication is at the forefront of current international thinking. Her presentation was so inspiring that she promptly got invitations to more speaking engagements.
The theme for this year’s forum was ‘Empathy in the Face of Diversity’ and the speakers through their researches showed that New Zealand has a high rate of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, skin colour and race.
In her research, Gail Pacheco, AUT’s Associate Professor in Economics, found that there have been reports of discrimination even in the health sector.
As noted by Professor Edwina Pio, AUT Professor of Diversity, New Zealand, has identified more ethnicities (217) than the total number of countries in the world (196) and hence is one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Other speakers included Kimberly D’Mello, winner of the Race Unity Speech, and David Mayeda of Auckland University. In her speech, D’Mello encouraged people to be flexible to be a part of the various cultures available to us in such a diverse country. Mayeda, on the other hand, talked about the issue of racism and their videos series I too am Auckland, where he urged people to accept different minorities and ethnicities equally. Speaking at the forum, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy and Police Commissioner Mike Bush and AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Rob Allen also welcomed the forum participants.
Towards the end of the forum, community organisations such as Shanti Niwas and Gandhi Nivas, Auckland Regional Migrant Services, UMMA Trust demonstrated/cited the work they have been doing for the well-being and support of minorities and communities.
The message of the day was clear—with New Zealand becoming a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, rather than differentiate, let us blend in and live happily together celebrating our diversity.
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