Diversity action programme

The New Zealand Diversity Action Parliamentary, citizens background

Following the desecration of two Jewish cemeteries in Wellington in July and August 2004, the New Zealand Parliament unanimously passed a resolution deploring these acts, recalling the terrible history of anti-Semitism culminating in the holocaust, and expressing unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism and all forms of racial and ethnic hatred, persecution and discrimination.

A statement signed by Maori, Pakeha, Pacific, Asian and other ethnic community leaders, religious leaders, mayors and councillors, business and trade union leaders and community groups was tabled in the House supporting the resolution.

Call to action

Forum on the way forward

The Speaker also invited community representatives to a forum on the way forward for racial harmony in the Beehive, Parliament’s Executive Wing, following the public meeting. Chaired by Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres, and addressed by Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University, the forum of 250 people heard the ideas that had been put forward by participants before the meeting, raised further suggestions, and unanimously adopted the outline of the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.

A further forum will be held on the anniversary of the first, in August 2005, to review progress.

Partners and Projects

The New Zealand Diversity Action Programme is a citizens’ initiative, and operates on a partnership principle.

To become a partner in the programme, organisations are asked to:

1. Express support for the programme
2. “Donate” a project that will help to achieve one or more of the programme’s ten steps

Partnership is open to all organisations that support the Programme, including community organisations, religious groups, cultural groups, government departments, local government organisations, schools, education and research institutions, media, businesses and sports groups.

Partners are profiled and listed in the Programme’s publicity and their project is included in the programme’s list of projects. These are available on the Human Rights Commission’s website at www.hrc.co.nz/diversity .

The Programme is simply the sum of its partners and projects. It does not entail any other responsibilities on partners, nor does it require any financial commitment other than what may be required for the partner’s own project. The Programme is facilitated on behalf of the community and partners by the Race Relations Commissioner.

A report on progress in completing the projects will be given to the annual New Zealand Diversity Forum in August.

If your organisation would like to become a partner in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, please contact the Race Relations Commission.

Initial Partners

A large number of organisations are being approached to become partners and to donate projects to the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme. Among those who have already become partners are:

Asia New Zealand Foundation
Baha’i Community of New Zealand
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
Creative New Zealand
Centre for Citizenship Education
Global Education Centre
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils
New Zealand Futures Trust
New Zealand Human Rights Commission
New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
Office of Ethnic Affairs
Victoria University Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research
Victoria University Religious Studies Programme.