Diversity North East –
The Regional Cultural Diversity Network

Our Aims:
The partners of Diversity North East are committed to help build a region where difference is celebrated, and where there is respect for, and pride in, the contribution that different cultures make to a vibrant and new North East.

Who are we?
The network provides a forum for officers from regional cultural and strategic organisations to meet, exchange ideas, devise strategies and discuss how it can provide a strategic framework for supporting and promoting difference and diversity in the North East. The principal focus of the group rests within the arena of culture, heritage and the arts. Our members are:

• Arts Council England, North East
• BECON (Black Ethnic Minority Community Organisations Network)
• BBC North East
• Culture North East
• English Heritage
• Government Office for the North East
• One NorthEast
• NEMLAC (North East Museums, Libraries & Archives Council)
• North East Assembly
• North East Equality & Diversity Forum
• Northern Film and Media
• Sponsors Club for Arts & Business

Our members share the belief that the North East has always been a diverse region and that the minority ethnic communities with their wealth of history and culture contribute significantly to the richness of our collective identity. The Network is committed to developing, through culture, heritage and the arts, more effective ways of celebrating and raising awareness of the value of diversity to the North East, now, in the past, and in the future.

What will we do?

• We hope to achieve our aims through the following activities:
• Fostering strategic partnerships to address issues of cultural diversity;
• Profiling and celebrating the cultural diversity of region;
• Raising awareness of culturally diverse initiatives in arts and culture and actively disseminating news and information;
• Encouraging and exchanging good practice;
• Complimenting the work of racial equality initiatives in the region.

What do we mean by Cultural Diversity?
Diversity North East believes that cultural difference and diversity contribute significantly to the quality of life within the North East.

The Network recognises and respects the statements of its partner organisations on cultural diversity and intends to complement their ambitions through collective action.

The UNESCO ‘Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity’ states:

Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognised and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.

The evolving and distinctive cultural identity of our own region is a product of everyday social relations and experience, embedded within complex, layered histories. It is this uniqueness, this mixing of multiple identities, experiences, cultures and images that can further enhance the potential of the North East.

We believe that the North East will become an even better place to live, work and visit when more people within the region truly appreciate and value these differences and actively seek to engage with other cultures. That is why our principal role as a network is to celebrate and profile the positive dynamic of cultural diversity.

What area does the network cover?
Diversity North East – the Regional Cultural Diversity Network consists of partner organisations whose geographical remit includes the four sub-regions of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley. The partners recognise that there are very distinct sub regional differences within the North East and that these add to the character and distinctiveness of our region.

The development of this website is one part of a three tiered promotional campaign designed to raise awareness of the regional multi-cultural composition, promote groups that celebrate regional cultural diversity and showcase events and activities that champion cultural diversity.

The overall objective of the campaign is to:
Mainstream cultural diversity issues amongst regional agencies and organisations, raise the profile of black minority ethnic community groups, and showcase regional diversity events and activities by both BME groups and mainstream organisations.

A desk calendar and newsletter have also been produced, and the network is looking for opportunities to further enhance its strategic support role. If you have any queries about the role or work of the network please contact Richard Foster on 0191 202 3917 or cne.gone@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk