Unity in diversity
| Unity in diversity in various languages | |
| Africaans | eenheid in diversiteit |
| Arabic | الوحدة في التنوع |
| Bulgarian | Единни в многообразието |
| Czech | Jednota v rozmanitosti |
| Danish | Forenet i mangfoldighed |
| Dutch | In verscheidenheid verenigd |
| English | Unity in diversity |
| Estonian | Ühinenud mitmekesisuses |
| Finnish | Moninaisuudessaan yhtenäinen |
| French | Unis dans la diversité |
| German | In Vielfalt geeint |
| Greek | Ενότητα στην πολυµορφία |
| Hungarian | Egység a sokféleségben |
| Irish | Aontaithe san éagsúlacht[1] |
| Italian | Unità nella diversità |
| Indonesia | Bhinneka Tunggal Ika |
| Latvian | Vienotība dažādībā |
| Lithuanian | Vienybė įvairiškume |
| Maltese | Magħquda fid-diversità |
| Polish | Jedność w różnorodności |
| Portuguese | Unidade na diversidade |
| Romanian | Unitate în diversitate |
| Slovak | Jednota v rozmanitosti |
| Slovene | Združeni v raznolikosti |
| Spanish | Unidos en la diversidad |
| Swedish | Förenade i mångfalden |
Unity in diversity is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation" [2] 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. 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." [2]
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[edit] Bahá'í Faith: Unity in Diversity as Watchword (1938)
In 1938, in his book entitled The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh[3], Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith said that "unity in diversity" was the "watchword" for the religion.[4]
[edit] 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 [5],
| “ | How does the dual relationship of the French Canadians make them an element of strength and order, and therefore of unity, in our joint civilization, which necessarily includes not only Canada and the British Commonwealth of Nations, but also the United States, the Latin republics of America and liberated France? | ” |
[edit] Unity in Diversity: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (1977)
The term was used by a group of academics who formed the Interdisciplinary Research Seminar at Wilfred 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 the first seminar Papers that led to the establishment of the IRS in 1975. [3]
[edit] Michael Novak (1983)
Michael Novak wrote [6],
| “ | Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilization, a testimony to the most noble possibilities of the human race. This attainment is made possible through passionate concern for choice, in an atmosphere of social trust. | ” |
[edit] 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 22 other languages. "Unity in diversity" was selected in through a competition process involving students from member nations. According to the European Commission:[7]
| “ | The motto means that, via the EU, Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages in Europe are a positive asset for the continent. | ” |
[edit] Other Nation States
It is also the motto of the nations of Ghana, Indonesia (see Bhinneka Tunggal Ika), Papua New Guinea, India and South Africa.
[edit] United States
House of Blues performance venues have an emblem at the top of the stage with several religious symbols, and the phrase "Unity in Diversity."
[edit] Community of Christ (2009)
"Unity in Diversity" is one of the nine Enduring Principles of Community of Christ, an international Christian church. [8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ EUROPA - Sracfhéachaint ar an AE - Siombailí an AE - Aontaithe san éagsúlacht
- ^ a b Roxanne, Lalonde (April 1994). "Edited extract from M.A. thesis". Unity in Diversity: Acceptance and Integration in an Era of Intolerance and Fragmentation (Thesis). Ottawa, Ontario: Department of Geography, Carleton University. http://bahai-library.com/lalonde_unity_diversity.
- ^ a b Effendi, Shoghi (1938). The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0877432317. http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/WOB/index.html.
- ^ Effendi, Shoghi (1938). "Unity in Diversity". World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. p. 41-42. ISBN 0877432317. http://www.bahai-library.com/writings/shoghieffendi/wob/21.html. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
- ^ Godbout, Adelard (April 1943). Canada: Unity in Diversity. 21. Council on Foreign Relations. http://www.jstor.org/pss/20029241.
- ^ Novak, Michael (1983). "Epigraph". In Carol L. Birch. Unity in Diversity: An Index to the Publications of Conservative and Libertarian Institutions. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press: New American Foundation. pp. 263. ISBN 0810815990.
- ^ European Union official website United in Diversity, accessdate: January 20, 2010
- ^ Community of Christ (2009). The Enduring Principles.
