Diversity and Inclusion

• Cultural identity

  Shared characteristics that plays a pivotal role in someone's identity
• How family can influence someone's cultural identity


  1. Children watch and imitate their carers and family

  2. Family values in the house
• How school can influence someone's cultural identity

  1. Knowledge/Skills gained at school

  2. Cultural events celebrated

  3. School teach students about their culture

  4. School values
• How peer group can influence someone's cultural identity


  1. Influence of friends

  2. How peer groups dress, music, sports, events
• How religion can influence someone's cultural identity

  1. Learning about religion

  2. Religious Events/Traditions
• How media can influence someone's cultural identity

  TV programmes, social media, news programmes, newspapers and magazines
• How nationality can influence someone's cultural identity

  Food eaten, languages spoken, religion and values
• How heritage can influence someone's cultural identity

  1. Past Traditions

  2. Festivals to remember

  3. Passing on traditions through generations
• How sexuality can influence someone's cultural identity


  Influences attitudes, behaviors and identification with groups in wider society
• How race can influence someone's cultural identity


  Shares a common heritage and culture
• Ways in which people can express their cultural identity


  • Flags
  • Music
  • Language
• Benefits of cultural identity


  • Variety of food, language, sport, and music from different cultures enriches NI
  • Mutual understanding develops through learning about other cultures
  • Greater understanding breaks down barriers, fostering trust and tolerance
  • Cultural celebrations promote inclusion and respect
• Challenges of cultural identity

  • Strong cultural bonds can hinder societal integration
  • Negative values, behaviors, and attitudes can be promoted against non-cultural groups
  • Intolerant, mistrust, stereotyping, prejudice, racism, and discrimination can occur
  • Negative cultural expressions can lead to tension and conflict, causing segregation and marginalization
• The Troubles was a conflict case study
• Causes of prejudice


  • Ignorance
  • Family members
  • Peers
  • Media
  • Religion
  • Political Opinion
  • Nationality
  • Heritage
• Individual effects of prejudice and discrimination

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression, eating disorders, etc.
  • Loss of confidence can lead to job loss/mediocre school performance
  • May turn to drugs/alcohol
  • May face homelessness/poverty
• Societal effects of prejudice and discrimination

  • Businesses have lower productivity, low morale, and less motivation if they don't take action against prejudice and discrimination. May be inadequate to compete against other businesses
  • No equal opportunities so threat to democracy
  • Less likely to vote as they are disaffected by the government. Different parties may emerge and more pressure groups
  • Discrimination will be evident in the justice system
• Economic reasons for immigration

  • More opportunities and higher wages
• Social reasons for immigration

  • Higher living standards
  • Appealing climate or culture
  • Educational opportunities
  • Follow loved ones
• Political reasons for immigration

  • May face persecution in the country of origin
  • Want political freedom for a different political direction
• Conflict wars for immigration

  • Flee to escape war or violence (Refugees)
• Environmental reasons for immigration

  • Escape natural disasters
• Social challenges of immigration

  • Social inability and lack of cohesion
  • Marginalization
  • Differences reinforced
  • Threat to national security
  • Illegal immigrants
• Economic challenges of immigration

  • Pressure on schools
  • Pressure on health services
  • Protection from illegal immigrants
• Accommodation support for immigrants from the government

  • Fund organizations that give advance about renting, buying, and social housing
  • NIHE will support immigrants to access social housing
• Healthcare support for immigrants from the government

  Interpreting and advice services are funded by the government to ensure immigrants understand how to access health/social care services in NI
• Education support for immigrants from the government

  • Financial support to schools for new pupils
  • Gov-funded organisations will provide info on the range of education services
• Protection from discrimination for immigrants from the government

  • Section 75
  • PSNI receives funding to tackle hate crimes
• Assistance in Language Learning for immigrants from the government

  • Night classes
  • Funding opportunities
• Support in the community for immigrants from the government

  Offer advice and show people around
• How the government can promote inclusion through laws

  1. Uphold human rights and make it illegal to carry out discrimination

  2. Promote equality

  3. Consequences including time in prison
• How the government can promote inclusion through policies

  An inclusion policy outlines the rights and responsibilities of members to promote inclusion
• How the government can promote inclusion through communication

  1. The media can be used to highlight the importance of inclusion and the impact discrimination can have on society/individuals

  2. TV, radio advertisements, billboards, posters, leaflets, apps, social media
• How the government can promote inclusion through education

  1. Inclusion is taught as part of the curriculum

  2. Schools must also have an inclusion policy
• Groups included in Section 75

  • Religious groups
  • Ages
  • Racial groups
  • Marital status
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender
  • Political opinions
  • With/without disability
  • With/without dependents
• Ways to promote inclusion in schools

  • Policies including inclusion, anti-bullying, and Special Education Needs
  • Access for disabled people
  • Lessons focused on promoting inclusion
  • After-School clubs to include all students
  • Food in the canteen catering for different dietary needs
  • Special assemblies
  • Celebration of Culture Day
• Ways to promote inclusion in the local community

  1. Gaining funding to run programmes that tackle issues such as racism and sectarianism

  2. Allowing people to learn about and experience other cultures and thus promote tolerance

  3. Local councils can fund local events that enable people to share experiences and build understanding
• Ways to promote inclusion in the workplace

  1. Laws protect people in the workplace

  2. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees

  3. Inclusion policy and guidelines for staff

  4. Staff training

  5. Disciplinary actions

  6. Equal Pay
• Causes of conflict


  • Land dispute
  • Differences in political opinion
  • Religious differences
  • Cultural differences
  • Distribution and use of resources
• Individual consequences of conflict

  • Denied basic human rights food, water, health services
  • Witnessing death, mass killing, torture, rape, hostage-taking
  • People being displaced and forced to leave their home
  • Poor standard of living and quality of life
  • Lack of education