WHY CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?

Diversity is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, which include race, ethnic origin and colour, religion and creed, sexual orientation, age and ability, to name but a few. As ever evolving creatures in an ever changing world, the innumerable aspects of our humanity - all our ways of being, knowing and moving through the world - are contained in this one concept.

As human beings, we are revealed and make ourselves known to one another by infinite varieties of intelligence, language, race, values, politics, religion, national service, gender presentation, philosophy and a host of other elements common to humankind. The recognition of a common humanity is the first step in the celebration of our differences - differences that inform our cultures, our values, our minds, and all our ways of being in the world. Diversity is the chief informant of the creative life force and the central reality in our understanding and stewardship of it.

Here at Unity International Café Lunches, diversity is recognised as an essential binding agent of the interdisciplinary approach to education, as well as to the greater life experience. The phrase, "Think globally; act locally," has inspired our culture to better understand that the world is a multicultural society of which we are a part. The systems of the world - its governments, economies, religions and cultures - are increasingly dependent on interdependence. Differences become strengths in a collaborative effort. Collaboration is a path to peace.

All of this - and more - makes diversity something to celebrate more than once a year.
 
Diversity and Sustainability
Diversity, when applied in a human context, comprises the inclusion of a wide variety of cultures, ethnicities and groups, races, religious beliefs, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identity. The diversity of life is made up not only of the wide realm of human cultures and languages, but also of the diverse world of plants and animal species, habitats and ecosystems. Therefore, a more sustainable world is one in which biological, cultural and linguistic diversity thrive through the strength of the system. It is upon the foundation of this diverse array of ecological and human cultures that a sustaining, resilient world is built.
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While the Unity International Café Lunches conveys a message of sustainability through diversity, on-going greening initiatives of the organisation include:
·        Recycling and composting food waste
·        Product packaging minimisation effort (bulk vs. individual)
·        Support local businesses
·        Reuse of event material, decorations, etc from year to year
·        Procurement of local food
·        Paper minimisation effort through electronic distribution in advertising
·        Vegetarian/food allergy sensitive food menu

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