Christchurch City Council is taking a stand against racism by throwing its support behind the Give Nothing to Racism campaign, which is an initiative of the Human Rights Commission, aimed at encouraging New Zealanders to take a stand against even so-called ‘small’ acts of racism.
“Today is Race Relations Day and we want to send a clear message that Christchurch is a city that embraces and celebrates diversity. Racism has no place in our city,’’ noted Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
Councillor Jimmy Chen, who chairs the Council’s Multicultural Subcommittee, also added that racism or prejudice, in any shape or form, should not be tolerated.“Christchurch is home to people from more than 170 ethnicities – and it is richer for that. We want everyone to feel welcome here, respected and accepted. Last year we developed a Multicultural Strategy that committed us to supporting and embracing the diversity of the people in Otautahi/Christchurch. Today I’m proud that we are standing together as a Council and saying we give nothing to racism – we give it no encouragement, no respect, no place.”
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About the Christchurch Multicultural Strategy The Christchurch Multicultural Strategy is a commitment by the council to provide a framework and a set of goals and actions to ensure every single person in Christchurch feels a sense of belonging. It will also give everyone in Christchurch an equal opportunity to access the council's services, information, as well as participating in the decision-making process. This strategy acknowledges Ngai Tahu are mana whenua — the indigenous people of our area in Christchurch, and that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation document of New Zealand. It recognises that the council has a leadership role in making Christchurch a city where diversity is welcomed and celebrated. This strategy outlines what the council can do in terms of improving service delivery, up-skilling the internal organisation and developing authentic relationships to achieve the outcome of a diverse, inclusive and welcoming city. As such the City Council will: monitor implementation of the strategy across the council with the community, and publish an annual Diversity and Inclusion report. |