UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY

WHAT IS DIVERSITY?
• Diversity as seen in sociology and political studies is the
degree of differences in identifying features among the
members of a purposefully defined group, such as any group
differences in racial or ethnic classifications, age, gender,
religion, philosophy, physical abilities, socioeconomic
background, sexual orientation, gender identity, intelligence,
mental health, physical health, genetic attributes, personality,
behavior or attractiveness
WHAT IS UNITY?

Unity is the state of different areas or

groups being joined together to form a
single country or organization.
Unity in diversity is used as an expression of harmony and unity between
dissimilar individuals or groups. It is a concept of "unity without uniformity and
diversity without fragmentation"[1] 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 idea and
related phrase is very old and dates back to ancient times in both Western and
Eastern Old World cultures. It has applications in many fields, including
ecology,[1] cosmology, philosophy,[2] religion[3] and politics.[4]
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE UNITY AMIDST

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY?
“We may have different religions, different languages, different

colored skin, but we all belong to one human race”, a line well quoted

by a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan,

depicting how we may all be very different from one another, but it is

the differences that act as unique characteristics that bring us all

together.
• Working with diverse people provides more exposure and makes you a better
person. It also teaches individuals to respect the opinion of others.
• Unity in diversity is responsible for enhancing the quality of the teamwork and
completion of the projects within a stipulated time frame.
• Due to different social and cultural traditions, the companies are now using the
principle think global and act local. It is in fact a victory of the diversity
principle as the organizations are getting acclimatized in doing business in
different parts of the world.
• Unity is instrumental in resolving the social problems because people from
different cultural background tend to know and respect each other.
• ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY IS A
DELICATE UNDERTAKING , PARTICULARLY IN THE REALM OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
• OUR GOVERNMENT IS TO REMAIN NEUTRAL ON RELIGION , WHILE
SECURING THE ABILITY OF ALL CITIZENS TO EMBRACE ANY RELIGION
THEIR CONSCIENCE APPROVES, OR NONE AT ALL.
• IF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS TO SURVIVE HERE, WE MUST VIGILANTLY
COUNTER NOTIONS WITH THE POWER TO ERODE IT. ‘’THERE ARE
CORE BELIEFS WE SHARE ABOUT THE DIVINE AND THESE BELIEFS
THAT UNIFY US’’
• WHEN COMMON GROUND IS SOUGHT , PEOPLE TEND TO NOD IN
AGREEMENT ON GENERALITIES WHILE PERCEIVING EVEN THOSE
GENARALITIES WHILE PERCEIVING EVEN THOSE GENERALITIES IN
DIFFERENT WAYS. ANNOUNCE IN A SUFFICIENTLY DIVERSE ROOM OF
RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS THAT ‘’GOD IS LOVE’’ AND YOU WILL FIND NO
UNITY. POLYTHEISTS IN THE ROOM BELIEVE SOME GODS ARE LOVING
BUT NOT AT ALL. IF PRESSED , OTHERS WOULD NEVER LEAD WITH
THIS STATEMENT. YET OTHERS WOULD SHUDDER TO SO LIMIT GOD
WITH HUMAN LANGUAGE . YET, TO PROVE CIVIL, ALL WILL PROFESS
AGREEMENT.
PHILIPPINE CHURCH DEDICATES 2020 TO
DIALOGUE FOR ‘’HUMAN FRATERNITY’’
• THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES IS OBSERVING 2020 AS
THE YEAR OF ECUMENISM, INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AND
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.
• THE CHURCH WANTS TO ‘’WORK FOR UNITY AND HARMONY WHILE
RESPECTING DIVERSITY AND TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLES’ IDENTITIES,
SPIRITUALITIES, AND ANCESTRAL DOMAIN.’’
• THEIR LOGO FEATURES TWO SHAPES IN BLUE AND RED THAT
SURROUNDS A HEART-SHAPED SPACE BETWEEN THEM, WHICH
CONTAINS THE THEME OF THE YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION: DIALOGUE
TOWARDS HARMONY
• ‘’THE TWO BLOCKS SIGNIFIES DIALOGUE AS THEY FACE EACH
OTHER FORMING A HEART , WHICH SIGNIFIES HUMAN
FRATERNITY AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.’’ TOGETHER, THE
THREE SHAPES ARE IN A CIRCULAR HARMONIOUS DYNAMISM
AND MOVEMENT.
• THEY AIM TO CELEBRATE HUMAN FRATERNITY BY PROMOTING
THE CULTURE OF DIALOGUE AS A PATH TO PEACE .
• TO WORK FOR UNITY AND HARMONY WHILE RESPECTING
DIVERSITY.
• TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ IDENTITIES,
SPIRITUALITIES AND ANCESTRAL DOMAIN.
ASEAN INTEGRATION
The "ASEAN Way" refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues
that respects the cultural norms of Southeast Asia. The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations[9] is a regional intergovernmental organization
comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes
intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security,
military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and
other countries in Asia.
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Membership

27 States – Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam,

Cambodia, Canada, China, European Union, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Democratic Peoples’ Republic of
Korea, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Timor Leste, United States, and Vietnam.
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the
Association are: (1) to accelerate the economic growth, social progress
and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the
spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation
for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations,
and (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect
for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the
region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. In
1995, the ASEAN Heads of State and Government re-affirmed that
“Cooperative peace and shared prosperity shall be the fundamental goals
of ASEAN.”
Political Cooperation
• The TAC stated that ASEAN political and security
dialogue and cooperation should aim to promote
regional peace and stability by enhancing regional
resilience. Regional resilience shall be achieved by
cooperating in all fields based on the principles of
self-confidence, self-reliance, mutual respect,
cooperation, and solidarity, which shall constitute
the foundation for a strong and viable community
of nations in Southeast Asia.
Dureza promotes unity amidst Filipinos’ diversity
GUIMBAL, ILOILO, 06 April 2018 — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza yesterday
encouraged Guimbalanons to embrace the varying historical roots and cultures of the Filipinos as he
gave the keynote message in this town’s annual Bantayan Festival.
“The Philippines is a diverse country. We have different beliefs from different sectors, but we must unite
as one nation. Let us stop judging the other person based on our own standards,” he said.
One of the festival’s highlights, a reenactment of the Moro raids in the area during the Spanish colonial
period, showed how the natives used the gimba — a hollowed trunk from a palm tree — as an
instrument to warn the settlers of incoming Moro pirates.
“The Moros today are different from the Moros that we know of before. Instead of the fighting, the
locals should also represent (in the performance) how we embrace the Moros as they are now,” Dureza
said.
He also noted the shift in the relationship with the Moro people over the years. He cited how the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) greatly helped the government during the Marawi siege last year
through the establishment of the Peace Corridor, which was instrumental in the rescue of 255 civilians.
The Peace Corridor was a safe and secure route jointly established by the government and the MILF for
civilians who were fleeing the crisis. Two Peace Corridors were created: one in Marawi used for the
retrieval of trapped locals, and one in Malabang used for the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.
“Let us forget the past, embrace our Moro brothers and sisters, and move forward for peace. We have
to celebrate all Filipinos — Moros man sila, Christians, or IPs (indigenous peoples) alike,” Dureza said.
In conclusion, though there may be differences in way of living,
expression, thoughts, and beliefs still, it is these differences that make
every Citizen like different pieces of jigsaw puzzles that once when
combined, make nothing but a beautiful picture of life. These differences
only make the country stronger, which essentially says that where there
is unity, there is strength. A country’s scope of progress can only be a
reality if the diversity of its citizens is acknowledged and a sense of
inclusiveness lets them achieve a common goal.
Unity in Diversity – the most wonderful ascpect of our country is its
strength from time being. We are united because of our ancestors have
taught us to live with all kinds of people and embrace them like brothers
and sisters. Though we grow in a particular system we cannot deny that we
have friends and neighbors who are from different cultures. This unity in
diversity should continue for generations to come; this can be done only
by sharing the importance of Unity to students in school. We should be
aware of our values and history our country has come through. Elders
should take responsibility in transferring the valuable thoughts to kids at
home so that our pride of our nation does not fall down for any reason.
We should always remember that , “United we stand, Divided We Fall”