PEOPLE in Oxford are being encouraged to celebrate diversity in the city by a businessman and author on the subject.

Dr Atul Shah, author of Celebrating Diversity: How to enjoy, respect and benefit from Great Coloured Britain, is speaking at Mansfield College tomorrow to read from his book and motivate people to celebrate their diverse communities.

Instead of embracing change, Dr Shah claims that "sadly, in Britain it is often seen as a threat and there is a lot of ignorance and disrespect".

He said: "Too often, it is the 'white' stories and news that are reported, but there is huge positivity in colour and diversity which often gets ignored by the local media and organisations."

Dr Shah, who is also an educator, social entrepreneur, scholar, broadcaster and an adviser to the BBC, was invited to host the lecture by the university's Jain student society.

Jainism is one of the world's oldest religions focusing on non-violence. Many members are strict vegans and devout Jains will not eat, drink or travel after sunset.

  • The lecture will take place at Mansfield College at 7.30pm.