Equality and diversity, a social norm for human survival

By Paul Muleme

EQUALITY is a principle that entails to treat all human beings as equal while diversity means to recognise, respect and value people’s differences to contribute and realise their full potential by promoting an all-inclusive culture.

This can be traced back in the evolution of man of how man came into existence, that is to say he / she is a creation in the image of God according to the book of Genesis chapter 2 : 27 God said let us make man in our image after our likeness and let them have dominion over  the fish of the sea , fowl of air , over cattle and all the earth .

It is from this biblical background that we trace the principle of equality in diversity that all men be equal in diversity relating to the multiplication to have a right of subduing all the creation on earth.

Equalities and diversity is it a social call in principle in the structuring of our day to day lives that we should put in practice that all human beings should be subjected to the principle of equality and diversity.

My little experience while looking for employment opportunities in the United Kingdom , one of the core concept passed on to new applicants while on induction is the principle of equality in diversity . This was brought about to reduce on the injustices that were subjected to the minority groups at work. It meant that all human beings despite of your background affiliation you have a right to an equal hearing while at a place of work and also should have access as a right  to opportunities that come up in the organisation to help advance  an individual’s self actualisation.

A question comes at a time when Uganda looks towards achieving the 2025 millennium development goals. Do we have the concept of equality and diversity as a policy guide in our national institutions and structuring of our day to day lives? Do big corporate organisations , private institutions and national institutions at all levels take the concept of equality in diversity as an important guide to enable all nationals access the opportunities available  to explore their natural talent and abilities to the fullest potential?

Here we should have a reflection in the 1980’s when the movement government came into power in 1986, it had an all inclusive cabinet though big in size it had people from different affiliations based on the principle of national reconciliation. Should we say that it was a call of equality in diversity? These are fundamental questions to be put on test.

I should emphasise that all institutions need to put a minimum standard of equality and diversity as a policy guide to be put in practice at all levels of what we do either at work or even in our domestic homes since charity begins at home which will enable us achieve a sustained economic growth.

The challenges faced by our nationals to access employment opportunities could be made simple, if the principle of equality in diversity is adhered to, in that the little employment prospects available are equally distributed despite an individuals affiliation as long as its based on the principle of merit, we will be able to overcome shortcomings at our places of work and offer services to the best of our abilities. 

In reality, one may argue that this does not work in the ideal world but determined as we are in achieving the 2025 millennium development goals, a poor country as we are in terms of economic development but not poor in availability of resources, if we are to pull ourselves out of this ditch this principle should be put in practice to enable the country tap the best brains based on merit.

The Obama’s of the 21st century wouldn’t be where they are, if America did not uphold the principle of equality in diversity. This should be a fundamental lesson for our institutions to pick from at whatever level of implementing national policies for development.

Big schemes like the Youth Livelihood programme aimed at helping the youth create employment opportunities and pull themselves out of poverty should emphasise the principle of equality in diversity which will enable all youths across the country get access to this programme to ensure equal distribution of development across the country.

Research all over the world indicates that equality in diversity makes big economic sense in the business world as it has numerous advantages in exploring a variety of talents and builds business networks across the globe.

Thus we should endeavour to treat all people equal , create an all inclusive culture , enable people develop their full potential, ensure equal  access to opportunities, equip  people with skills to  enable challenge inequality and ensure policies , procedure and processes don’t discriminate which will enable us to achieve the desired millennium development goals .