Connections, the soul behind diversity

As I sat at the dinner table with my family enjoying a hot bowl of pho, I thought about the journey my parents have had as migrants to Australia.

They immigrated from Vietnam in the 70’s escaping the horrors of war. Here they worked incredibly hard, adapting to a foreign country, which they now call home. They have built a successful business from the ground up and today, provide job opportunities for countless immigrant families.

These families migrated to Australia in the hopes to escape poverty, to give their children a better quality education for their futures and to essentially live a better life.

That’s why we have all come to call this place home.

What I’ve come to realise is that diversity is a two way street. We emphasise on our cultural differences as it is what makes us unique. I treasure my Vietnamese Chinese heritage but I am also quick to embrace my Australian identity. I’ve seen a generation of migrants who have kept to the old country, refusing to integrate with their new home.

We all have a different story to tell. It is extremely important to take the time to listen to these, to give us perspective, to find what we have in common and to grow with each other.

As Roger Wilkins said,

“We have no hope of solving our problems without harnessing the diversity, energy and creativity of all our people.”

Diversity is immensely important for cultivating creativity and innovation in our rapidly growing society.

When I think of celebrating diversity, I think about inclusion. Taking the time to build real connections. For me, relationships are a universal connecting point. No matter who you are or where you have come from, you can build from there.

Michelle is an Accelus Intern on a journey of self discovery. A Human Resources and Psychology  Major, she is fascinated by what makes people tick.  

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