Members of the Rastafari Core Group along with Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton
The Ministry of the Presidency’s Social Cohesion Department on Wednesday hosted a diversity education and inclusion training workshop with the Rastafari Core Group. This is aimed at increasing awareness and sensitivity about behaviours that contribute to building better relations among individuals within communities.
Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton during his remarks at the opening session of the training said the events were introduced after it was recognised that there is a need for more introspection in an effort to promote the Rastafarians’ notion of “love, fairness and acceptance” regardless of differences. This, he said, is important in improving the Rastafarian movement locally and the world over. He emphasised the need for members to accept others’ cultures despite of differences.
The Rastafari Core Group consists of other smaller groups and the Minister added that the training is a welcomed initiative which will aid in the department achieving its objective in community relations building.
Norton highlighted that the Ministry sees that the group has been making progress as it has an increased membership and progress has been made in eliminating gender differences. He added that despite the transgressions that affected the movement, Rastafarians have made stride in embarking on a journey of equality rather than superiority.
Minister Norton stressed that his Ministry is committed to capacity building and is enthusiastic about continuing these training sessions.
The two-day workshop which is being held at the National Racquet Centre, aims to allow participants to explore the negative internalised attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes that impact the ways in which they perceive themselves and others. Further, it serves to give participants a better understanding and appreciation of diversity, particularly beyond race and ethnicity and to create opportunities for cross community understanding.
The workshop is as a result of outreaches in various communities as the Ministry sees the need for continued work in this area. The training sessions will be conducted by Kala Seegopaul and Rolanda Kirton and will focus on areas which include understanding biases, values, understanding diversity, trust building and nurturing communities.
