YoubeYou - Aotearoa seeks to progress a project of national significance in the development of Aotearoa NewZealand's very first whole society, community driven, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion(DEI) Accreditation System. E whai ana a YoubeYou - Aotearoa ki te ahu whakamua i tetahi kaupapa whakahirahira mo te motu i roto i te whanaketanga o te hapori tuatahi tuatahi o Aotearoa, na te hapori, te Diversity, Equity and Inclusion(DEI) Pūnaha Whakamana.
YoubeYou – Aotearoa’s premise. People create communities. Communities create everything.
Wait! Aren't there already diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) accreditation systems? How can this be Aotearoa New Zealand's first?
Correct, Aotearoa New Zealand is currently using two types of DEI accreditation system.
The first is described as 'demographic specific', and there are two operating in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Rainbow Tick and The Accessibility Tick.
The second is described as the 'champion system'. Diversity Works are an example of this method and operate a system where individuals are trained, ultimately accredited, in the facilitation of a DEI program normally in a commercial setting.
Both these systems are immensely valuable and should be applauded. Any advance in DEI is a good thing right!
YoubeYou - Aotearoa's system is very different.
The theory
We are deeply fortunate to have an amazing anchor culture in Aotearoa. As the first peoples of this land, Maori enjoy a community centric practice of which we should be very proud. The long history, culture and social centric value in Maoridom is enormously important to Aotearoa New Zealand and must always remain so.
With an eye on the future, YoubeYou - Aotearoa believes that in parallel with the deepest respect for our nation's ancient past, must we celebrate all that we are as kiwis today. With over 200 enthicities and more than 1500 social identities calling Aotearoa home in 2023, a new framework exists for a sense of who we are as a nation.
Only through celebrating every culture, every identity, all that we are as people, as kiwis, can we mature and thrive as a progressive, diverse, equitable and inclusive nation into the 21st century.
Social Identity
Traditional views on cultural individuality were typically viewed through a lens of where we're from. At a basic level, if you're from Christchurch, you're a Cantabrian right! Or, if you're from Mumbai, you're Indian. This was the data we had access to.
Few considered that an individual's deeper self and their daily experience of life, together created an individual's sense of societal diversity and inclusion.
Cornell University describes social identity as...
“...based on someone’s lived experiences with economic and social systems, their socialization within those systems, the way others perceive them, and their cultural connections to those systems. It is also how we may identify ourselves in relation to others based on what we have in common. These memberships either give us power and privilege in society or prevent power and privilege in society. Social identities on an institutional level will often impact someone’s access.”
For example, Alma is from Argentina, but now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with her kiwi wife Michelle and their two kids. Alma has a disability and is a stay-at-home mum.
Previously we'd have ticked a box stating Alma was of Argentinian ancestry. Modern thinking suggests Alma's daily experience of life and her deeper sense of self is a mix of all of that she is. Argentian, a lesbian, a busy mum and living with a disability.
Progressive DEI explains that in considering all that we are as people we feel more part of the society in which we take part.
Today there are at least ten aspects of social identity to consider...
1. Stage of life (age)
2. National identity
3. Ethnic identity
4. Cultural identity
5. Access Needs
6. Gender Expression
7. Gender identity
8. Partner preference
9. Religious / political beliefs
10. Individual passions. (sport/arts etc)
Data generation
Efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion to date have been driven by census or immigration data.
Many would argue central government census data can no longer be relied upon as enough folks no longer trust big brother to create reliable data. And no census to this point has captured all the data required to form a cohesive social identity framework.
Immigration data is accurate (you need to show your passport as you enter the country), but we already know that nationality, as stated in our passports, is but a small part of social identity.
What do we do? How do we find out exactly how people see themselves, and what they think makes effective diversity, equity and inclusion?
Well, we ask them!
YoubeYou - Aotearoa's Accreditation system
For that, and for being you, we’d like to say thank you. You’ve done something amazing. YoubeYou – Aotearoa DEI Accreditation is for the sports club, the theatre group, the school room, marae, or business environment and allows any organisation to showcase a belief in nurturing a diverse, inclusive, vibrant, human centric eco-system.
Speak to us about getting your YouBeYou Accreditation.
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
Dr Martin Luther King.
