Community Engagement Report for developing a National Action Plan Against Racism Acceptance and inclusion Some Tangata Tiriti participants spoke about the need for acceptance and belonging, drawing from their lived experience: “I got left behind and left out of everything here. I was here, but no-one ever saw me. I was always ‘that African’”. Another participant commented on how exclusion worked in practice: “They remember the diversity but forget about the inclusion part – we’re part of the diversity metric but not really included in the conversation at the table.” Some participants said they had seen some shifts in recent times – “after March 15, I feel we are less harassed, but I am still not seen or heard” – while others experienced continued harassment: “even today I regularly wash off antisemitic graffiti on my way to and from kindy pick up, [it’s] deeply frightening and disturbing”. Participants emphasised the importance of social cohesion as being about “making us feel we belong in this country”. In practice, this could look like: Creat[ing] opportunities for regular public conversations led by the responsible minister - the Minister for Social Development and Employment – for all New Zealanders to share and improve their knowledge of: a) social cohesion, including social inclusion, and the collective effort required to achieve this; and b) the value that cultural, ethnic and religious diversity can contribute to a well-functioning society. Fostering acceptance and belonging would lead to more empathetic relationships with people “taking care of one another in collective [ways] and less selfish individual behaviour”. Celebration of diversity was a common theme. One participant identified their vision for Aotearoa as one where: New Zealand Human Rights Commission We celebrate each other’s cultures and perspectives as being many threads that are interwoven and strengthened together. It is a space where we recognise the value of an inclusive and diverse community and acknowledge the inter-cultural connections that can emerge within our communities. In this vision, we can communicate these ideas with one another through arts, culture and creativity. These things are fundamental to human existence, and as such are an important pathway for establishing connections between people. Some participants, particularly those who came from arts and creative backgrounds, focused on the importance of these fields to inclusion and building inter-cultural understanding: “theatre and performance allow us to work not just towards ‘acceptance’ or being ‘tolerated’ by others, but towards celebrating our voices, growing our communities and creating a thriving future”. Others noted the importance of bringing a “sense of joy and fun” to diversity and inclusion work, while others commented on festivals that were celebrated together. Alongside celebration, participants said stereotypes and acts of racism needed to be addressed. One said “stereotypes are a main cause of racism. That’s what people understand about other cultures and other people”. They concluded “we should support each community to show people that these stereotypes aren’t true”. Another talked of the importance of ‘calling in’ racism when it arises “so we learn from each other without alienation”. Participants identified the numerous community groups who were at the forefront of anti-racist action and supporting those in need. Several called for increased funding and resources for them and for “agencies actively encouraging awareness and biculturalness”. 61