Nova Scotians Asked to Reflect on the Values of Community

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Nova Scotians Asked to Reflect on the Values of Community

Nova Scotians were encouraged today, Nov. 2, to reflect on the role that compassion can play in enriching our lives and leading to diverse, successful communities.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission has named today a Day of Reflection on Compassion and Community. The fourth annual Day of Reflection was proclaimed at an interfaith breakfast at Province House.

Opening the event, Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman pointed to the important role compassion can play in every day life.

"Nova Scotians have demonstrated compassion for others in some of the most difficult of circumstances. We need to recognize compassion and understanding are required every day, not just at times of crisis," she said.

In proclaiming the day, Premier John Hamm said the event promotes a Nova Scotia which is open to diversity.

"True respect cannot be legislated. Instead it must come from inside each of us through the lessons we teach, the examples we set and the lives we live," said the premier.

Members of various faith communities spoke briefly at the breakfast about what compassion means from their perspective. Commission vice-chair Lance Hale thanked them for sharing their thoughts and supporting the commission's work.

"I am encouraged that the work of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission to foster compassionate and understanding communities is as important to all of you as it is to us," Mr. Hale told the assembled faith leaders.

Mayann Francis, the commission's CEO, said Nova Scotia risks its future by not welcoming difference.

"If we are to be healthy and prosperous we must embrace the diversity of cultures both old and new that can invigorate an economy and a society threatened by population decline," she said.

Part of the commission's mandate is to be proactive in the areas of public education and outreach to increase awareness of human rights in the province.

This was the fifth interfaith breakfast that Ms. Francis has held since becoming CEO in 1999.