Jain Network 2010 11

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Network

Page 3

cohesive community for a peaceful and progressive society.
In today's global economy the economic migration and travelling for business, education and improvement for quality of life are facts of life. The companies do business in different countries; they have work force trained in many countries and diverse communities. If we look around the cultural diversity exists all around us; in different households and communities; in educational and public institutions; in sports and entertainment industries - the diversity is a part of the society. The people have to learn to live together; the teachings of practically all faiths provide guidance to promote equality and racial harmony. To prevent discrimination, the Government has legislated acts such as race relation and equality. In a Big Society we all have to play the part so that the cohesion of different communities can take place and we all can live together in our multifaith society.
Diversity of cultures can provide opportunities for businesses and successful living in a multi faith society that was never dreamed few years back. The opportunities may be in shopping, music, arts, sports and leisure, festivals, food and learning from the traditions and beliefs of each other. Few years back who would have dreamt, our major stores selling foodstuffs and other articles to satisfy the needs of diverse communities and culture?
The Government is well aware of providing equal opportunities to all its citizens and hence in 2001 UK Census, it sought information on ethnicity and religion. The ethnicity of Britain and the diversity of the religions have been very well demonstrated by the 2001 UK Census.
The Census has classified ethnicity into several groups: White, Black, Asian, Mixed, Chinese and Other. These categories form the basis for all National Statistics.
According to the 2001 Census, the ethnic composition of
the United Kingdom was
Ethnic group
Proportion of total UK population
White
92.1%
Mixed race
1.2%
1.8%
Indian Pakistani
Population | 54,153,898
677,117 1,053,411 747,285
283,063 || 247,644
565,876
1.3%
Bangladeshi
0.5%
Other Asian (non-Chinese)
0.4%
Black Caribbean
1.0%
485,277
0.8%
Black African Black (others)
0.2%
Chinese
97,585 247,403 230,615
0.4%
Other
|
0.4%