Building An Inclusive Community Through Festivals..

June 20th, 2008 to July 3rd, 2008 PAGE 19
Punjabi Patrika
Looking For Answers In Diversity Challenge

Hmm...we can all talk about building an
inclusive, diverse community, but are
people’s actions representing their words.
Well, I am happy to say a few responses
and interest has appeared in my email box
and they sound terrific. Again, the
Diversity Challenge question is: "What
have you done or what you could do to
include someone into your culture or
community organization?" In the coming
months, through this column, you will be
hearing from many voices, hopefully
capturing a glimpse on what is occurring
in our communities on diversity issues.
There are many cultures that exist in
Canada and we would like to hear from
as many as possible in this writing
challenge. Doing a little soul searching
myself on the question, festivals are a
terrific way in sharing cultures with
Canadians. There are currently two
upcoming festivals in the Fraser Valley that
represent a multicultural theme. On June
28, "Culture Fest" will take place in
Langley and some of the cultural groups
that will be participating will be: Punjabis,
Afro Caribbeans, Latin Americans and
First Nations people. Some of the events
on this day include musical entertainment,
drumming, carving and much more. Ana
David of Langley, who is coordinating this
event said, "The festival venue creates a
place and an audience for those who
normally go unnoticed. Jim Diers who is
the guest speaker on community building
is all about turning perceived liabilities into
assets. Nominate mobility restricted
members to your organization’s board and
use their talents at a different level than a
regular 9-5 job setting. Seniors, youth,
diversity, disabilities and parenting are all
important factors to a cohesive supportive
neighborhood network we can all call
home... maybe one day." Culture Fest is
a week celebration of culture and diversity
from June 23 to June 28. Details of events
can be found on the web: www.bcharmony.org
Harold Rosen from the Baha’i Spiritual
Assembly of Abbotsford and a coordinator
with the Abbotsford Multicultural Festival,
which is taking place at the AgRec building
on October 4, 2008, shared these
comments: "The festival next fall will be
an opportunity for new levels of bonding
among people of various ethnic
backgrounds, and will encourage new
patterns of socializing in our city. It will
build bridges of fellowship among the
diverse faith communities, schools,
businesses and performing arts groups of
Abbotsford. As an extended family event,
it will generate greater trust,
understanding and appreciation among
our neighbours in the Fraser Valley. All of
these likely outcomes of the Multicultural
Festival are beautifully harmonious with
Baha’i goals and purposes," said Rosen.
The model behind the diversity question
is how we can better share culture.
Festivals are a terrific way to connect
citizens with different global villages. If
you think you have an answer in 300
words or less send me an email me at the
address below before September 19,
2008. This Challenge is open to all ages
with two categories: one for school-aged
children and the other for adults. Stay
tuned for my next column, where we will
find how some politicians answered the
question.
KenHerar@gmail.com