We speak openly and with civility about all kinds of human difference.
Timothy Garton Ash
A personal introduction
Most of us encounter more diverse people than our ancestors did. We encounter them virtually, through the internet and mobile devices, but also physically. As a result of air travel and mass migration, big cities like London, Hong Kong, Dubai and Toronto are filled with men and women from every country, faith and background. There may not be more human diversity on the planet altogether – indeed there is probably less, as languages die and lifestyles converge – but there is a new intimacy of diversity. Let’s exaggerate to make the point: we are all neighbours now.
Free Speech Debate is a research project of the Dahrendorf Programme for the Study of Freedom at St Antony's College in the University of Oxford. www.freespeechdebate.ox.ac.uk