Diversity House started the Swale - a celebration of cultures festival in the Borough of Swale, Kent in october 2007 as a way of promoting intercultural dialogues and bridging cultures. Since then the festival has grown from a one day event to a week event in 2008. The Chair of Diversity House received an award from the Kent County Council for contributing to life in Kent due to her efforts in initiating and organising the cultural festival.
Swale - A Celebration of Cultures, as a channel for promoting cultural understanding and acceptance in the locality is surely making positive impacts in Swale as it is bringing both communities and organisations together. To date, several organisations such as the Kent County Council's Adult Social Services, Libraries and Archives, Swale Borough Council, Swale CVS, KCC Education, Kent Fire and Rescue Services, Kent Police, Swale Mediation, Ibgraphics, SoundArt, Kent Polish Association, Sevenveils, New Covenant Church Kemsley, some local artists, and a host of others are working with Diversity House to plan and organise the celebration of cultures 2009.
We find the festival an effective method of promoting community cohesion and it has been useful in bringing communities together especially in Swale which hitherto had been a predominantly a mainstream community. Swale - a celebration of cultures, now in its third year is showcasing the diverse cultures now in the locality, creating awareness, breaking myths and challenging attitudes which are discriminatory.
We are therefore happy to present to you the program for 2009 celebration of cultures taking place in Sittingbourne on 31 October 2009.
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