Social and cultural differences can:
- pose challenges around understanding and social cohesion
- cause individuals or groups to feel isolated and excluded from participating in society.
This can mean that some people are unable to achieve their aspirations, resulting in increasing economic disparity.
Intercultural cities recognise the value of cultural diversity and the benefits of cross-cultural interaction. This goes beyond tolerance and co-existence and focuses on more active approaches that build cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation to create greater wellbeing and prosperity for all. Cities around the world use this approach, known as interculturalism, to foster social inclusion.
Participation in social and community activities, and in civic life, can help Aucklanders to recognise interests they have in common with others. Celebrating our differences as a strength helps build relationships and reinforces our sense of belonging.
Participation can occur in many different settings, for example through:
- families and whānau
- interest and cultural groups
- geographic communities and neighbourhoods
- faith groups
- sports and arts
- community events
- in the workplace.
Community building initiatives
Festivals, Auckland-wide and local events, community programmes, arts and cultural initiatives, and celebrating local histories build local pride, develop and maintain community cohesion, retain cultural knowledge, attract visitors, and stimulate the economy.
These initiatives can provide opportunities for people from different social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to meet, connect, participate in, and enjoy community life.
However, to really strengthen social cohesion, we need to take steps to pro-actively foster relationships between different communities in Auckland.
Local leadership and decision-making
Local leadership and volunteering are ways that people can be actively involved in their communities. They create a sense of purpose and achievement and help make communities resilient.
Participation in civic and community life leads to people feeling that they have influence over the decisions that affect their lives, and a high degree of confidence in their governmental institutions.
Summary
For Auckland to be a place where people continue to want to live and work, all Aucklanders must have the opportunity to succeed.
This means we need to be on a path that will lead to everyone being able to belong and to participate in society.
It also means a path to equity where all people can share in Auckland's prosperity.
How we track progress
We will track progress against a set of measures.
The measures for this outcome are:
- Aucklanders' sense of community in their neighbourhood
- Aucklanders' sense of safety in their homes and neighbourhood
- Aucklanders' quality of life
- relative deprivation across Auckland
- Aucklanders' health
- Treaty of Waitangi awareness and understanding.
How we can implement the plan
Aucklanders have a shared responsibility for implementing the plan.
Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032 delivers on this outcome by providing a platform for council to support thriving, inclusive and resilient communities.
Related information
