Embracing Diversity: London's Vibrant Culture

1. 14-May-18 Some people are different. Get over it! Starter What words spring to mind when you look at this image?

2. Londonis the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom.Standing on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within Greater London. The Greater London Authority estimated its population to be 8.63 million in 2015, the largest of any municipality in the European Union, and accounting for 12.5 percent of the UK population. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Information

3. For discussion: • What are the advantages of living in one of the most diverse cities in the world? • Is there anywhere else you’d rather live, why? • What could we do to make London a better place to reside, think about what politicians could do and think about what we can do on a much smaller level? Activity

4. Some key immigration dates to Britain: • From 1670: 40-50,000 French Huguenots (protestants fleeing persecution in France) come to England, largely settling around Spitalfields. • 17th – mid 19th Century: Large number of Indians come to the UK. By mid-19th century there were approximately 40, 000 in Great Britain. • Mid-18th Century: About 15,000 African slaves were in Britain. Slavery was abolished in 1807. • 19th Century: Germans- reaching a peak of over 50,00 in 1911. • 19th Century: Russian Jews escaping persecution, about 120,000 settled in Britain. • 20th Century: Immigration to Britain increased massively, especially post World War 2 Information

5. Plenary What do you do to celebrate diversity in your community?