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Personally, my collaborative understanding of belonging is this- having a perception of acceptance, being included, feeling secure, and/or comfortable in a social, cultural, religious and economic group. It brings a sense of inclusion, connection, unity and identity. Additionally, belonging engenders satisfaction, happiness and peace in individuals. Kofi Annan, a diplomat and Civil Servant from Ghana, once said, “We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race”
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He worked as an Assistant Secretary General in the United Nations in 1947, then was given the role of Secretary General, that is, the leader of the UN in 1997. Kofi
Annan went on to achieve the noble peace prize in 2001, for his work ‘to achieve a better organised and peaceful world.’ The famous quote “we may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race” contextualises Kofi Annan’s values, beliefs, morals, experiences and upbringing. It exemplifies acceptance, inclusion, security, satisfaction and unity. A sense of belonging is illustrated through Kofi Annan’s strong, inspirational words of wisdom. !
Annan is saying that although we have our differences in relation to religion, tongue, skin colour, race, nationality, social or ethical group, we should be celebrating that we share one commonality, we are all human beings.Instead of focussing on what makes us divergent, more emphasis should be drawn on unity and belonging in attempt to create a more just and peaceful world- accept that diversity exists, realise that ‘we all belong to one human race’, may eventually, in the decades to come, eradicate conflict.
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Kofi Annan’s quote,