The world has an enormous diversity of languages, religions, landscapes and forms of society. This diversity can be observed at a global level, but also at a national or even local level. Through trade, migration and cultural exchange, rich diversity can also be experienced locally: in the range of restaurants, products, music styles, ethnic origins of inhabitants and religious convictions. Globalization does not make all places or lifestyles equal; it rather gives rise to new forms of diversity as a result of contact and exchange. At the same time there are forms of diversity that are threatened, such as the Earth’s biodiversity.

Diversity in the world, from global to local, is not only a fact, it is also a value in itself. Diversity is enriching. Confrontation with different values, ideas, behaviour, knowledge traditions or lifestyles can prompt reflection on one’s own perspective, mutual learning and innovation.

For this reason, diversity is an important theme for global citizenship. An introduction to the fascinating diversity on a global scale as well as in one’s own environment promotes interest in the world and contributes to the development of empathy. It is not only about diversity that is immediately visible, such as differences in languages, building styles or rituals, but also about less visible diversity: the different perspectives on the world and on meaning.

We believe that it is good for young people to become aware of the rich diversity in the world in all its aspects and to develop respect for diversity. It is also important that young people start to realize how important and valuable diversity is in their own lives: how other cultures have influenced the Netherlands, how we can learn from other viewpoints.

Three aspects have been selected to illustrate the theme of diversity:

• The historical and cultural diversity of the world with a wide variety of civilizations, art and social forms. Unesco’s World Heritage List bears witness to this cultural wealth. Window chosen: the Taj Mahal.
• The biodiversity of the Earth with all its different climates, landscapes animals and plants, all of which contribute to the ecosystem. Window chosen: the Amazon region.

• Diversity in everyday life: languages, manners, food,clothing…Window chosen: Chinese.