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Unity in diversity

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Unity in diversity

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Unity in diversity is a concept of 'unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation' that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions.

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"Unity in diversity" is a popular motto within and among nation states, and also in political and social movements.

The idea and related phrase is very old and dates back to ancient times in both Western and Eastern Old World cultures. The concept of unity in diversity was used "in non-Western cultures such as indigenous peoples in North America and Taoist societies in 400–500 B.C. In premodern Western culture it has been implicit in the organic conceptions of the universe that have been manifest since the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations through medieval Europe and into the Romantic era."

Bahá'í Faith (1938)

In 1938, in his book The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, said that "unity in diversity" was the "watchword" for the religion.

Canada (1943)

Adélard Godbout, while Premier of Quebec, published an article entitled "Canada: Unity in Diversity" (1943) in the Council on Foreign Relations journal. He asked,

The motto of the province of Saskatchewan, adopted in 1986, is a variation, Multis e gentibus vires (from many peoples, strength).

Meher Baba (1954)

In the message Meher Baba's Final Declaration. He stated "Unity in the midst of diversity can be made to be felt only by touching the very core of the heart. This is the work for which I have come. I have come to sow the seed of love in your hearts so that, in spite of all superficial diversity which your life in illusion must experience and endure, the feeling of oneness through love is brought about amongst all the nations, creeds, sects and castes of the world."

Unity in Diversity: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (1977)

The term was used by a group of academics who formed the Interdisciplinary Research Seminar at Wilfrid Laurier University with a sense of community in mind (p. xvi) working to develop practical wisdom through interdisciplinary activity as opposed to the trend towards fragmentation and ever narrowing specializations in academia. Ervin Laszlo presented his paper entitled "Framework for a General Systems Theory of World Order" (1974) as one of the first seminar Papers that led to the establishment of the IRS in 1975.

South Africa (1981,1996)

When the Apartheid of Republic of South Africa celebrated 20 years of independence on 31 May 1981, the theme of the celebrations was "unity in diversity" as a cynical attempt to explain away the inequalities in South African life. Anti-apartheid campaigners opposed these celebrations and called on runners of the Comrades Marathon to protest at the co-option of the event by wearing a black armband. The winner of the race, Bruce Fordyce, was one of those wearing a black armband.

The term has since been incorporated into the preamble of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa as a central tenet of the new South Africa.

Michael Novak (1983)

Michael Novak wrote,

European Union (2000)

In 2000, the European Union adopted 'United in Diversity' (Latin: In varietate concordia) as official motto, a reference to the many and diverse member states of the Union in terms of culture. Apart from its English form, the European Union's motto is also official in 23 other languages. "Unity in diversity" was selected by means of a competition involving students from member nations. According to the European Union official website

Indonesia (2003)

In 2003 The term United In Diversity ( UID ) is used by not-for-profit organization established with Indonesian leaders from business, government, and civil society. UID aims at nothing less than inspiring tri sector leaders to collaborate, create and implement an action plan to forge a new, positive national identity for Indonesia, based on the multiple strengths of its diverse people. its growth thereafter has been an enduring, positive learning process. UID has galvanized leaders from all sectors to come together, start a new dialogue of responsibility, and agree on concrete actions to address root causes of Indonesia's problems.

Other nation-states

It is also the motto of the nations of Indonesia (see Bhinneka Tunggal Ika), Papua New Guinea and South Africa.

Indigenous peoples

The Gwich’in Tribal Council representing the Gwich’in, a First Nations of Canada and an Alaskan Native Athabaskan people, who live in the northwestern part of North America, mostly above the Arctic Circle, adopted the motto Unity through Diversity.

Commercial

House of Blues performance venues have an emblem at the top of the stage with several religious symbols, and the phrase "Unity in Diversity".

References

Unity in diversity Wikipedia