Diversity Management - bringing nations together or even further apart?

Migrations as process is a part of human society since its existence. There are various reasons why people choose to move to another city or country: economic, social, political and environmental reasons. On one hand we have people who move to enhance their career opportunities, and on the other hand there are people who are forced to migrate due to a war or famine. Seeking opportunities for better quality of life are in general the main drivers for migrations. In 21st century we can talk about the phenomenon that is becoming more and more powerful and which increasingly contributes to the migrations – globalization, which is characterized by free trade, free capital and people mobility with intention to sustain national economies. Movement, has become a part of our everyday life.

Migrations are not always perceived as something positive and something that brings added value to the particular state. Nowadays, when the international community is facing constant waves of migrants, the phenomenon of migrations is often an important issue in discussions on national, regional and international level where is usually perceived as a complex problem that needs to be properly addressed. Human migrations have transformed aspects of continents and ethnic, racial and linguistic composition of their populations. Cultures and traditions are mixing, states are wrapped in diversity.

As the citizens of the West world – the “cradle of democracy and equality”, we should adapt to a new way of life whose framework is dictated by globalization. Lack of tolerance remains the main problem in international community and is often the main cause for conflict within societies. Europe is a nice example when it comes to minorities. The intolerance to others has already been showed in history during the exterminations and ethnic cleansings where millions of people belonging to minority groups were expelled from national borders or brutally killed. This negative perception of minorities remained and nevertheless majority of states strives to homogeneity of its society that is exactly why we should stop deceiving ourselves and accept heterogeneity. The fact is that in Europe´s history states have never been completely homogeneous populations. Homogeneity is just a utopic idea. It is something states dream about because they are convinced that this will help them achieve greater stability in international community.

So, what was really done on international level to achieve better recognition and valorization of individual differences?

There are already established international organizations and bodies that strives to protect minorities: the Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, United Nations and European Union. Much has been done on their side, when they ratified many documents which strive for minority protection (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious or Linguistic Minorities, Convention on the Protection of National Minorities etc.). Some advocates of minorities claim that the main problem, when protection of minorities is discussed, is hiding in inadequacy of international law framework where taken actions are not parallel with theory, and in the prevailing nationalism as the dominant ideology.

It is clear that if states want to manage diversity, they require good global governance which plays an important role in involving minorities in societies, and in protecting their rights and interests. Although there exist many measures, norms and provisions within international law addressing protection of diversity, to which states should adhere, international community is still forced to deal with this issue. Middle East crisis faced Europe and also other parts of the world that is necessary to accept quick and effective decisions which will provide help to the states in managing diversity. United Nations as many times before strive for progress in this area alike, the global arena for discussion is open for new prepositions, alliances, unexpected hand-shakes and many more. Hopefully the effort will not be in vain!

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