Cultural diversity

Preparation and Planning

To present this Assembly Plan you will need ICT access and a projector to show the Slides. The Slides include animations and so you should click through the presentation slowly. You may also find a flipchart and pen useful to write up the responses offered by students to your questions.

Whilst the Assembly Plan presents very positive messages, the ethnic diversity topic could trigger some contentious responses and you should be aware of any cultural sensitivities amongst your students.

About the MOD Topic

World War One:
Well over 1 million men from parts of the Empire that are now linked with the UK's ethnic minority communities served in the First World War. Over 100,000 of them died or were wounded. In all, 140,000 Indian men served on the Western Front, 90,000 in the Indian Corps and 50,000 in the Labour Companies.

In 1915 the British West Indies Regiment was formed from local volunteers to fight overseas. Two thirds of the total of 15,200 recruited were Jamaican, though each of the colonies sent volunteers. Despite their loyalty and commitment they experienced some racial prejudice which resulted in a mutiny in 1918.

African soldiers were also heavily involved in World War One efforts. Soon after the declaration of war, soldiers from Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Uganda, Nyasaland, Rhodesia and Kenya were mobilised to defend the borders of their own lands which adjoined German territories. Around 60,000 black South African and 120,000 other Africans also served in uniformed Labour Units which provided logistic support to front line troops. Other uniformed Labour Units were raised in China (with 92,000 recruits), Mauritius and Fiji.

World War Two:
Men and women from all parts of the British Empire played a significant role in helping to defeat the totalitarian regimes of Germany, Italy and Japan.

Some 372,500 African troops fought in East Africa and Burma. The Indian Army (including modern day Pakistan and Bangladesh), provided the world's largest volunteer army with 2.5 million men. The Commonwealth Navies provided essential operational support worldwide, as did 5,800 West Indians who served in the RAF.

The fight to restore freedom and democracy in Europe and battles to recapture those parts of the British Empire which had been conquered by the Japanese, posed a dilemma to many participants. Many people did not want a return to the pre war imperial status and a few even joined the enemy. Nevertheless, a large number of local personnel from all parts of the Empire volunteered their services with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

Today

In 2003 the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) renewed their 'Partnership Agreement' to promote employment through improved racial equality practices. The CRE has now been merged into the new Equality and Human Rights Commission and continues to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. The MOD and HRC 'Partnership Agreement' covers a wide range of issues including recruitment, retention, racial discrimination, harassment and progression of ethnic minorities in the Armed Forces. Members of the MOD and CRE meet on a regular basis to discuss all of these issues. The involvement of the CRE allows the Armed Forces to draw upon examples of best practice in other organisations.

Today the UK Armed Forces is comprised of 6% UK born individuals from an ethnic background and 10% foreign nationals fighting as part of the UK Armed Forces. Ethnic minorities account for 16% of UK Armed Forces making it one of the most racially diverse Armed Forces in the world.

For further information visit: http://www.wewerethere.defencedynamics.mod.uk/index.html

Further Opportunities for Learning

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Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.