Diversity, Inclusion and Conflict Resolution

Living well together

A society is made up of many different people, and Learning for Life and Work asks how they can live well together. Diversity is the mix of people from many cultures and backgrounds who share a society. Everyone has a cultural identity, a sense of belonging shaped by family, community, beliefs and the people around them, and expressing it brings both benefits and challenges. Where people are treated unfairly, this topic names the problem clearly: prejudice is an unfair attitude, and discrimination is unfair action. It also looks at immigration, which brings both benefits and challenges to a community, at the ways inclusion can be promoted, and at how conflict arises at local, national and global levels and can be resolved peacefully. This module covers all of these, and it treats each one fairly and factually.

Citizenship words

Learn what each of these means before you use it.

Prejudice against discrimination

These two words are often mixed up, but the difference is important.

Two habits for this topic

Two habits of thought run through this whole topic. First, weigh both sides: almost every issue here, from immigration to a diverse community, brings both benefits and challenges, so a strong answer names some of each rather than only one. Second, separate the attitude from the action: an unfair opinion held in the mind is one thing, and acting on it against a person is another, more serious thing. When you meet any case, ask what the benefits and the challenges are, and ask whether you are looking at a way of thinking or at something actually done. Those two habits turn a one-sided opinion into a balanced answer that earns the marks.

Match the term to its meaning

Attitude or action?

A person holds an unfair opinion about a group but treats everyone the same in practice. Which term best describes the unfair opinion on its own?

• prejudice, because it is an unfair attitude held in the mind
• discrimination, because that is any unfair opinion
• inclusion, because that means holding an opinion
• diversity, because that means an attitude

Promoting inclusion

Select the TWO actions that help to promote inclusion.

• Laws that make discrimination against the law
• Education that teaches respect for difference
• Excluding anyone who seems different
• Ignoring the needs of new arrivals

Levels of conflict

Conflict is described at three levels: local, national and global. A news report covers only the local and national levels. Subtract to find how many of the three levels it leaves out.

Order the peaceful resolution

Put these steps of resolving a conflict peacefully in a sensible order.

• Listen to understand each side of the disagreement
• Talk together to find common ground
• Agree a fair compromise
• Keep to the agreement and rebuild trust

Complete the citizenship facts

The mix of people from many cultures and backgrounds in a society is called _____. An unfair attitude held about someone before knowing them is _____. Unfair treatment of a person because of who they are is _____. Making sure everyone is welcomed and able to take part is _____.

Match the place to how it includes

Spot the true citizenship facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true.

• Diversity means a society includes many different people
• The United Nations works to resolve conflict between countries
• Discrimination is only an opinion and is never an action
• Immigration brings only challenges and no benefits at all

Act as a good citizen

Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.

• A new pupil from another country joins a class and knows no one. What best promotes inclusion?
• Two community groups have a serious disagreement. What is a peaceful way to resolve it?
• A speaker says immigration should be judged fairly. Which is the balanced view?

Explain diversity and inclusion

A friend is studying Learning for Life and Work and asks why diversity, inclusion and dealing with conflict matter in society. Explain diversity, inclusion and conflict resolution.

• Explain what diversity and inclusion mean
• Explain the difference between prejudice and discrimination
• Give one benefit and one challenge of immigration for a community
• Explain two ways that inclusion can be promoted
• Finish by explaining one peaceful way to resolve a conflict, including the role of the United Nations