Our Speaker tonight Tahir Nawaz is a very senior person in the Muslim community in New Zealand holding a number of prominent roles. His address is titled ‘Diversity and Inclusion’.

 

We live in a multicultural nation of diverse ethnicities, cultures and religions. Our society includes people of a range of genders, sexual identity, age, physical and mental abilities and diverse values. 

 

The concept of inclusion encompasses the tolerance, acceptance and respect of the uniqueness of each individual and ensuring that they have equitable access to resources and opportunities to live a happy and comfortable life. Historically, in our society, personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination has created privilege and wealth for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others. 

 

Building alliances and developing an understanding of others is a first step towards learning how to work together to eradicate discrimination. As Dr Rowan Williams, the previous Arch Bishop of Canterbury, commented: we are afraid of what we do not understand and that fear may lead to bias and exclusion, often unintentional and quite often subtle. To start the process of inclusiveness we need to understand others. When we begin to understand them, we are likely to find we have more in common than that which we believe separates us. Understanding is a journey of many steps; may tonight be one of them.

 

This coming week end we will be celebrating Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  At Te Rauparaha park on Saturday there will be a celebration event, Creekfest.  Rotary will be a part of that. The local network clubs will be working together to promote Rotary, to that end we need members to come and support us.