New Zealand Diversity Forum

Empathy in the Face of Diversity is the theme behind the 11th New Zealand Diversity Forum that opens on Wednesday 9 September at Auckland's AUT City Campus.

The forum’s keynote speaker is Dr Gill Hicks, a double amputee and survivor of the London bombings, in 2007 Gill founded the not for profit organisation M.A.D. for Peace, a platform that connects people globally encouraging us all to think of Peace as verb.

“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.

“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.”

Diversity Forum 2015 speakers include AUT Associate Professor Gail Pacheco (Co-Director of the NZ Work Research Institute) and Professor of Diversity Dr Edwina Pio who will be presenting research findings on the impact discrimination has on physical and mental wellbeing at work. Other speakers include Race Unity 2015 winner Kimberly De Mello, and NZ Police Commissioner Mike Bush. Well known broadcaster, journalist and blogger Ali Ikram is MC for this year’s forum.

The forum is a platform to bring together people to share ideas and best practice about positive race relations and cultural diversity. Originally created in 2004 following a community response to the desecration of two Jewish Cemeteries, the Diversity Forum is organised and facilitated by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission with a focus on practical action. The NZ Police have been a key forum partner since its inception, as has the NZ National Commission for UNESCO.

ENDS

© Scoop Media