Empathy in the Face of Diversity - NZ Human Rights Commission's 11th Diversity Forum is on next month

Empathy in the Face of Diversity is the theme behind the Human Rights Commission’s 11th Diversity Forum to be held in Auckland this September.

“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.”

“The forum’s free and it’s open to everyone so I encourage Kiwis, particularly Aucklanders to come and learn and build with us.”

Diversity Forum 2015 is being held at AUT’s Auckland campus. 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’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.

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.

Diversity Forum 2015
Empathy in the Face of Diversity
Wednesday 9 September 2015
AUT Auckland Campus

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