70 | May 2012 | woman this month Our universe is built on diversity. Yet, there’s a growing polarisation between people around the world, with lessening tolerance and respect for others who are different. This disturbing trend can have a negative and longstanding impact on people and communities worldwide. Helping our children perceive and applaud diversity in everything around them, including people, will have a significantly beneficial effect on future communities worldwide. “Me and the Other” — a pilot training programme for children and teens in Bahrain — aims to accomplish just that. Launched by the Be Free Programe, in partnership with the British Embassy, the project aims to promote the values of tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation among school children in Bahrain. “People are different in colour, shape, belief, religion and many other ways. We hope that this project helps create a culture of respecting these differences, learning from them, and growing with them,” observes Dr Rana Al Sairafi, manager of the Be Free Program. The organisers decided to start with children and teens as change comes easier for this younger age group and they find it easier to accept the concept. The programme encourages every child to start with himself or herself and build a bridge towards a different other. “Only by having genuine and strong ties within communities, and between them, we can achieve peace, and grow,” Dr Rana notes. The inaugural workshop was launched by British Ambassador Iain Lindsay and his wife Bridget in February. Ambassador Lindsay, who is a Scottish Protestant and his wife, an Irish Catholic, are themselves proof of how different cultures can work together. Their presence at the workshop underscored the message of respecting differences and promoting social reconciliation. The Ambassador addressed the first batch of children and teens at the workshop and talked about his experiences with different cultures, including with his wife at home. Citing an example of a popular candy, M&Ms, Ambassador Lindsay told the children that the candy seems attractive because of the sheer diversity of its colours. Diversity Embracing Campaign Ever thought about how dull life would be if everyone looked alike, thought alike, and acted alike? By teaching our children to appreciate our differences, we can overcome prejudice and intolerance and work towards a more peaceful world. Workshop on diversity
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