"The promotion of racial harmony for the public benefit of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole by:

1) promoting knowledge and mutual understanding between different racial groups;

2) advancing education and raising awareness about different racial groups to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups;

3) to further or benefit the residents of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.

In furtherance of these objects but not otherwise, the trustees shall have power:

To establish or secure the establishment of a centre of cultures and to maintain or manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and management of a such a centre for activities promoted by the charity in furtherance of the above objects."

Two of the most confused words in the English language. Integration in the national/social sense is to bring together separate ethnic/cultural groups to form a whole. The separate groups remain distinct but they are united in a common national identity. Assimilation is an altogether different process. This aims at an homogeneous society (or as near as one is likely to get) the nature of which is set by a dominant culture. Thus individuals from "foreign cultures" are expected to "fit in" and abandon the culture of their birth.

Some social commentators and politicians I am sure, listening to what they say, really mean assimilation when they use the word integration. When we use the term integration we really mean - integration.

An integrated and inclusive society compared to an assimilated one is like a stir fry compared to baby food. It is like a beautiful mosaic compared to a plain cement floor. It is both the UK and Europe's greatest strength and asset for a successful future.

Unity in Vision advocates a society that is strong; stable; productive; inclusive; culturally diverse and fully integrated.

We are now using the easy to read and widely available arial font on our website removing one the barriers that disable people. The background colour is also chosen with the same aim in mind. Adjust the brightness of your monitor to suit your own taste. If you do not know how to do this drop us an email. Your feedback would also be appreciated. Credit to Rita Satti El-Gazali & Suky Tate for researching this issue and providing valuable advice.

Unity in Vision is an intercultural group. We are not an interfaith group. Here are a few definitions gleaned from the Internet.

To be multifaith is to feel an affinity with aspects of more than one religion, philosophy or world-view, and to believe that no one is superior. Multicultural refers to many cultures. In diversity work it means valuing the differences of others and creating an environment that does not require assimilation. Intercultural is of, relating to, or between different cultures.

Unity in Vision falls into the final category above. We take it as given, what should be obvious to anyone, that the UK is a multicultural society. We bring people together from all cultures (including the dominant one) with the expectation that they will see the human person beyond the superficial stereotypes.