New
New
Year 11

Can a changing and diverse society lead to unity?

I can explain how diversity and integration may unite society and evaluate their challenges and benefits.

New
New
Year 11

Can a changing and diverse society lead to unity?

I can explain how diversity and integration may unite society and evaluate their challenges and benefits.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Integration fosters unity by encouraging mixing and shared values while respecting cultural identities.
  2. Unity in a diverse society means that people from different backgrounds can work together to create community cohesion.
  3. Benefits of diversity include creativity, understanding and stronger communities.
  4. Challenges to unity can arise from misunderstandings, clashing values and social divisions.

Keywords

  • Diversity - when a group has people with different backgrounds and experiences; this can be differences in nationality, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, identity, interests, skills and perspectives

  • Multicultural - a society or community made up of several cultural or ethnic groups

  • Multiculturalism - the idea or belief that individuals or groups with different ethnicities, cultures and religions can coexist peacefully and respect each other

  • Unity - coming together as one, despite differences, to achieve a common goal or purpose; creating a sense of belonging and shared identity in a community while valuing diversity, respect and shared values

  • Integration - the process of bringing diverse people, groups or ideas together to live and work alongside each other

Common misconception

Diversity and unity are opposing ideas and cannot coexist.

A diverse society can be united through shared values, inclusion, and respect, which help build strong, cohesive communities.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: Can a changing and diverse society lead to unity?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Carefully review the example case studies included within the lesson as they cover sensitive topics. Check they are appropriate for your setting and feel free to adapt or replace them to suit your class’s needs.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word to the correct meaning.

Correct Answer:values,principles or beliefs considered important

principles or beliefs considered important

Correct Answer:community,a group of people living in the same place

a group of people living in the same place

Correct Answer:migration,the movement of people from one country to another

the movement of people from one country to another

Correct Answer:tolerance,accepting others even if you disagree with them

accepting others even if you disagree with them

Correct Answer:mutual respect,treating each other with fairness and courtesy

treating each other with fairness and courtesy

Q2.
The UK is one of the most countries in Europe due to historical migration.

Correct Answer: diverse, multicultural, varied

Q3.
Which of the following is a benefit of migration?

increased discrimination
language barriers
Correct answer: skilled workers
competition for jobs

Q4.
Which of the following can be a challenge of migration?

Correct answer: fear of job competition
greater food variety
new job opportunities
more cultural festivals

Q5.
What does mutual respect help to build in society?

division and competition
Correct answer: a fair and cohesive community
isolation and fear
an unfair legal system

Q6.
Why is UK law important in supporting British values?

It encourages competition for jobs.
It protects against inclusion.
It stops people from migrating.
Correct answer: It promotes fairness and protects rights.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:unity,people from different backgrounds working together

people from different backgrounds working together

Correct Answer:multiculturalism,a belief or policy that supports a multicultural society

a belief or policy that supports a multicultural society

Correct Answer:multicultural,a society with many different cultural or ethnic communities

a society with many different cultural or ethnic communities

Q2.
What is the goal of integration in a multicultural society?

to remove cultural differences entirely
Correct answer: to allow people to keep their identity while becoming part of society
to replace one culture with another
to separate people into cultural groups

Q3.
What word describes an approach to unity that involves adopting the culture, language and customs of the wider society?

Correct Answer: assimilation

Q4.
What is one benefit of living in a multicultural society?

fewer job opportunities
less creativity and vibrancy
Correct answer: a variety of perspectives and traditions
a single national culture

Q5.
Which of the following is a challenge in a multicultural society?

more cultural celebrations
increased creativity and new ideas
wider choice of food and drink
Correct answer: risk of misunderstanding between communities

Q6.
Which statement is true?

Diversity and unity cannot exist together.
A united society only works when everyone is the same.
Correct answer: Diversity and unity can work together through inclusion and shared values.
Unity means everyone must follow one culture.