diversity

2011/06/30

Happy Canada Day!

Wishing everyone a joyous Canada Day!

While Diefenbaker’s most memorable quote is probably “Everyone is against me — except for the people!”, his remarks when presenting the Canadian Bill of Rights are especially poignant during this most patriotic day:

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

2011/06/23

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

Canadian Multiculturalism Day was established by Royal Proclamation in 2002. It recognizes that our country has been shaped by contributions of Canadians of various multicultural groups and communities. The Proclamation reads in part:

Whereas multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage;

Whereas Canadians of all backgrounds have made and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian society;

Whereas it is considered appropriate that there be, in each year, a day to mark and celebrate those contributions and to recognize Canadian diversity; […]

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by this Our Proclamation declare June 27 of each year as “Canadian Multiculturalism Day”, a celebration of the contributions of Canada’s diverse people to Canadian society.

Take a moment today to celebrate the rich fabric of Canadian society; diversity in our country, as in our union, makes us stronger!

2011/06/21

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is the National Holiday of Quebec and part of the 11 days of Celebrate Canada. It was first celebrated in Lower Canada in 1636, when the colony mainly operated as a fur-trading venture. Today, the national holiday is a celebration of French culture within Canada. In many cities and towns in Quebec and other francophone communities across the country, parades and parties are held and fireworks light the sky.

When asked what Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day means to them, Louise Patrice and Jean-Pierre Nault, co-presidents of the Francophone Committee, pointed to the following words drawn from fetenationale.info:

An occasion to meet again

Around a joyous fire, a large table or before scenes in which our artists sing, let us take advantage of these worthwhile occasions offered by Quebec’s National Holiday to tell stories, as have people done here for centuries, from the moment they first gathered. Let us do it in total friendship and in complete solidarity, because these are features of our community, which, throughout literature, have often been made clear. Let us therefore tell each other stories… and let us sing them too, because many of them have been brilliantly made into music.

Bonne Saint-Jean tout le monde!

2011/05/182014/04/24

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

“As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations”

– From Article 1 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, 2001

In 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The United Nations declares that this Day will “provide us with an opportunity to deepen understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity and to learn to ‘live together’ better.”

In honour of this day, UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations have launched a grassroots campaign called “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, which aims to engage one million people across the globe to do one activity in support of diversity and inclusion.

For more information on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, please consult the United Nations’ website.