Social tolerance and cultural plurality will be the hallmark of the Auckland Pride Festival 2014.
The Programme will be held from February 7 to 23 across the Auckland region, highlighting the ‘Rainbow Culture and Identity’ of the country.
It will also be symbolic of the ‘oneness of humankind’ that New Zealanders have come to embrace in recent years.
Unitec is the Principal Sponsor of Auckland Pride Festival 2014, an annual event that promotes increasing inclusiveness.
Chief Executive Dr Rick Ede said that the partnership reflects Unitec’s ongoing commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture across its three campuses.
Exciting Partnership
“This exciting new partnership will allow Unitec to publicly recognise and celebrate diversity. We are honoured to join the Auckland Pride Festival to develop the mana and standing of the Rainbow Community in Auckland and Aotearoa at large,” he said.
Unitec delivers an extensive range of programmes from Creative Industries and Business, to Social and Health Sciences, to Technology and Built Environment, and there will be a number of opportunities for staff and students to get involved with the Festival from digital marketing and conference coordination right through to participating in dance and theatre performances, he added.
Auckland Pride Festival Trust Co-Chair Megan Cunningham-Adams said that gaining the active support of New Zealand’s leading institute of technology was symbolic of the cultural celebration coming of age.
“We are thrilled that Unitec has come onboard as our Principal Partner for Auckland Pride Festival 2014. The Unitec team is full of passion and enthusiasm and ready to provide the resources we need to take the Festival and Parade to the next level this year,” she said.
Innovative Idea
Unitec made a stand for diversity on campus in 2012 by implementing the ‘Ally Network Programme,’ an initiative that aimed to create a more inclusive working and learning environment by promoting greater awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) staff and students.
Unitec is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2014.
