DIVERSITY DAY IS RELEVANT TO ALL OUR LIVES

This is from the Mercury Opinion column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Diversity Day is relevant to all our lives

We are pleased to be joining forces with Leicestershire Police today to produce a series of features to mark Diversity Day. The official title of this day is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

If that sounds a little worthy and unwieldy, please do not be put off.The ideas and goals which underpin this event are very much grounded in reality and are relevant to all our lives.

It was sanctioned by the United Nations in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The declaration had been worked on for some time before that but the atrocity in New York emphasised the need to encourage and promote peaceful co-existence.

Diversity Day aims to put a worldwide focus on breaking down the barriers which sometimes separate us from one another and prevent the sort of division and misunderstanding which leads to disharmony and violence.

It is not just a day on the international calendar, but is also supported by some practical steps.

These include a Facebook page headlined Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion, which provides people from around the world with a forum to share their experiences and stories through posts and videos.

Leicester also has a great story to tell about diversity and peaceful co-existence.

This city has one of the most diverse populations in the UK and is rightly proud of its good record in community relations.

Indeed, other cities in Europe look at Leicester to learn lessons.However, we have to guard against complacency.

More needs to be done and it is vital to continue the process of promoting dialogue and understanding.

Many individuals and organisations in Leicester from many cultural backgrounds have worked incredibly hard and with great commitment over the past 30 or 40 years to build the community relations of which we are proud.

We now have to carry on their good work and ensure that we strive towards and live up to the goals of Diversity Day – every day.