At Kaplan, we believe ininclusion and equality for all, and our diverse student community represents the world we want to see. That’s why we’re asking them to share their thoughts on some of society’s most important topics with our ‘Student perspectives’ series.
Kayode from Nigeria is a Student Ambassador who is studying for a master’s in Aerospace Engineering and Management at the University of Glasgow. Here, he answers the question: “Why is inclusion important?”, shares his personal experiences and gives some advice about what students can do to be more inclusive in their everyday lives.
My experience of feeling excluded
At the age of 16, I had the amazing opportunity to move to the UK from Nigeria.
While most people I came across went above and beyond to ensure I felt comfortable during this time of massive upheaval in my life, there were some individuals who weren’t as educated about my culture. They would reference stereotypes or make ill-judged jokes. It was the first time I had felt excluded.
Having grown up in Nigeria, I experienced a bit of culture shock when I arrived in the UK. I often felt left out of conversations that referred to popular British concepts, games or TV shows.
I tried my best to learn and stay involved, but when you ask “What’s that?” for the 100th time, you begin to feel like you’re asking too many questions. You start to feel like maybe you just do not belong here.
As a result, I unconsciously withdrew back to what I knew. I gravitated towards people from my own country who knew about my culture.
Reflecting on this now, I think I behaved like this because of the human desire to be understood. We all want to relate easily to others, to have our ideas, beliefs and norms reaffirmed and respected. This feeling, whether due to gender, race, age, or experiences, has appeared at some point in almost all of our lives when we have been in a group setting.
In most cases, individuals conform to the norms of the group rather than pride themselves on their differences. This is usually so that they don’t feel out of the loop or excluded. However, this ultimately leads to a lack of diversity, which dulls the perspectives within a group.
The applications and definitions of inclusion are vast, however, the underlying principle behind it is the idea of being ourselves. It is about creating freedom from the fear and anxiety of discrimination. Inclusion to me is when each and every person is able to feel like they belong and that they are accepted for who they are.
Inclusion is about making sure that the marginalised members of society (for example, those with disabilities or special needs, and minority groups) are not only told they are included but alsofeellike they are.
To me, inclusion goes further than telling someone: “your differences are appreciated”. It goes beyond that and ensures that the individual feels appreciated, valued, respected and involved.
Causes to care about
Why is racial equality important?
Causes to care about
Why is gender equality important?
Why is inclusion important?
I believe inclusion is important because it develops the feeling of belonging. This feeling is a powerful one because it helps to greatly reduce certain psychological issues, such as social anxiety among students, for example.
When people feel included they are better able to contribute to the group and their society without fear of being ostracised. By bringing their ideas forward, they are offering a particular perspective, which stems from a completely different background. This makes space for further inclusivity and creates a cycle of growth and acceptance.
Advice on what students can do to be more inclusive
1. Reach out to your fellow students
Reaching out to students who, like myself, seem withdrawn from others would kickstart the feeling of acceptance. I strongly believe that when it comes down to it, everyone just wants to feel accepted.
2. Have open conversations
Be inquisitive and open-minded. Respectfully find out more about someone’s cultures, traditions, norms and beliefs. There is beauty to be discovered among each person’s norms. It will lead to a more genuine understanding and appreciation for each student’s individual differences.
Reason 1: Inclusion Promotes Tolerance and Reduces Bullying
Exclusion fuels the fear of difference. Inclusion, on the other hand, fuels acceptance. At Special Olympics Unified Schools, students with and without intellectual disabilities learn and play side-by-side.
the act of including someone or something as part of a group, list, etc., or a person or thing that is included: She is being considered for inclusion in the Olympic team. inclusion of The book's value stems from its inclusion of multiple viewpoints.
Inclusive practice ensures each child is treated fairly and with respect. By having access to educational content, each child is able to fully participate in their own learning which provides them with the skills and resources for later life.
Inclusion in the workplace creates a sense of belonging among co-workers that can translate to greater productivity, more innovation, and better decision-making.
Inclusion: the act of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their identity, feels like they genuinely belong, are seen, valued, relied on, and empowered to thrive.
Inclusion is the practice of including and accommodating people who often face discrimination and exclusion due to race, gender, ability, sexuality, or identity. In light of the current racial climate, many settings are becoming increasingly aware of their lack of diversity and representation.
A diverse and inclusive environment establishes a sense of belonging among employees, making them feel more connected and productive. Organizations that adopt D&I practices see huge gains in the form of business results, innovation, and decision-making.
Inclusion is seen as a universal human right. The aim of inclusion is to embrace all people irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other need. It is about giving equal access and opportunities and getting rid of discrimination and intolerance (removal of barriers).
Inclusion is a basic right of everyone and its objective should be to embrace everyone regardless of race, age, gender, disability, religious and cultural beliefs and sexual orientation. When we have true inclusion, it is when we have removed all barriers, discrimination and intolerance.
What are examples of inclusion? Inclusion strives to make all people feel valued and respected. Examples of this include placing disabled students in regular classrooms, creating mentorship programs for underrepresented employee groups, and working to eliminate bias in hiring processes.
Inclusiveness is the practice of creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected, regardless of their background or identity. It is important in all areas of life, but it is especially important in the workplace.
Inclusive content means that you're creating brand messaging and advertising that both depicts and relates to a broad audience. This type of content can help your customers feel appreciated and included.
Inclusion in the classroom is critically important because it fosters each child's sense of belonging, feeling of being seen and understood for who they are, and their inherent value as a human being.
Inclusive societies promote respect, trust and cooperation, for the betterment of all. Children and their families are active decision-makers, and their needs and concerns can become clearer, allowing for more effective solutions. Children learn from one another.
Diversity is the "what"; inclusion is the "how." Diversity focuses on the makeup of your workforce — demographics such as gender, race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, just to name a few, and inclusion is a measure of culture that enables diversity to thrive.
Employees who feel accepted as a member of the team are more likely to engage and feel a sense of belonging in the workplace. These employees are also more enthusiastic about their positions. The key to acceptance is willingness – willingness to see other individuals just as important and as unique as yourself.
Better Decision-Making: A diverse and inclusive community can lead to better decision-making by reflecting a broader range of needs and concerns. Increased Civic Engagement: When people feel their voices are heard and their perspectives are valued, they are more likely to participate actively in community life.
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