Introduction The UK has a varied experience as a multicultural society engaging with cultural differences and the challenges these bring. Government and society in the UK generally value tolerance and respect for difference and aim for a confident multi-cultural society. Nonetheless minority rights, race discrimination, the social inclusion of refugees, and cultural identity are key issues in the UK today. Roma issues are increasingly recognised as important and different organisations are working to support Roma people and their culture.
Social diversity is a major determinant behind people s inclusion and exclusion.
People vary in their circumstances, backgrounds, capacities, opportunities, power, resources and influence and that some people enjoy greater degrees of participation, or social inclusion than others do. People participate in diverse ways at different times and through different structures within their societies with varying patterns of equality and inequality. Inequality of participation remains a persistent feature of social exclusion. Issues of ethnicity are important in the countries throughout Europe. The British Council has been working with different governments and civil society organisations in Europe to share lessons and experiences on working on equality of access to rights.