Promote cultural diversity with Cultural Diversity Weekend
Cultural Diversity Weekend is on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2009. For many people it is the starting point for their Adult Learners' Week activity. The Weekend enables an opportunity to organise activities which celebrate the similarities and differences that exist in Britain today. Cultural Diversity Day (as it was then known) was introduced in 2002 in recognition of the importance of the Equality and Diversity Agenda with a vision to support providers in its delivery. It is now an integral part of Adult Learners' Week giving providers the opportunity to widen participation and be responsive to the needs of the wider community - making it a learning journey for providers and learners alike.
The objectives of Cultural Diversity Weekend are to:
- Raise awareness and improve understanding between different cultures
- Celebrate the similarities and differences between cultures
- Encourage community cohesion
- Provide support in challenging racism, xenophobia and intolerance
- Support and promote activities and events celebrating diversity
- Raise the awareness of policy makers to concerns and issues around the barriers to learning
- Promote intergenerational learning between the older and younger sections of the community
- Represent diversity in the broadest sense, promoting all equalities through various activities.
We believe that Cultural Diversity Weekend is key in delivering Adult Learners' Week messages. Adult learning has an important role to play in contributing to the development of employment-related skills but it does more too - promoting social cohesion and active citizenship, creating and sustaining cultural value and contributing to public health and general well-being in quantifiable ways. This is what Cultural Diversity Weekend is all about.
Taking action
Cultural Diversity Weekend provides a dedicated time and
platform to raise awareness of the diversity of learning and
learners. It enables providers to engage with learners through
interests they are comfortable with such as faith, tradition,
fashion and art, providing taster sessions that instil confidence to
take 'first steps' to learning.
For example, in Stockport town centre on Cultural Diversity Day (as it was then known) 2007 a city centre wide 'Culturefest' took place where entertainment stages showcasing music and dance and an international market were connected by learning activities and taster sessions across the city centre. Over 75% of respondents to the evaluation said that it added to their knowledge and understanding of culture. But the event worked because it focused on diverse music, arts and food as a means of promoting learning activities.
"Cultural diversity initiatives provide an opportunity for people to come together and share ideas and good practice. So much good practice in the field of challenging racism and promoting cultural diversity through adult education goes unnoticed. Cultural Diversity Weekend provides an opportunity for you to showcase what you are doing in this area and for other providers to learn from your experiences. It also provides an opportunity for you to encourage learners from minority groups to take advantage of your services and explore a range of issues, discussions and ideas around an ever-changing Britain and Europe".
Lenford White - Development Officer, NIACE
If you run an event on Cultural Diversity Weekend 2009 let us know! We can help you publicise your events through the use of our online calendar.
If you would like a free pack of Cultural Diversity Weekend materials use this order form.