Ravindran spreads message of respect

An Auckland man believes New Zealand could suffer the same racial instability as America if people stop respecting others cultures.

Ajay Ravindran, 23, a former Mt Roskill Grammar School student, was one of 12 participants from New Zealand that was a part of the Ship for World Youth programme last year.

The Ship for World Youth programme is a multicultural and multinational initiative by the Japan government which involves people from around the world.

Participants discuss common issues from a global perspective and learn about different cultures while travelling around the world.

Ravindran took the 2017 Ship for the World youth programme participants to Mt Roskill Grammar School on February 14, to spread the love on Valentine’s Day.

‘‘The students learnt a little from the participants about their cultures, and also how they approach issues about peace and conflict,’’ Ravindran said.

‘‘But the participants from the ship learnt something from the students as well.

‘‘I think students of Mt Roskill Grammar have a lot to teach the world.’’

Ravindran said New Zealand was lucky to be unaffected by many of the attitudes affecting other countries.

‘‘But I think, that could easily change if we don’t constantly work hard at understanding each other and getting along,’’ he said.

He said people needed to keep an open mind in a diverse society.

‘‘That is important to remember in the current global political conditions.

‘‘We’ve got a lot to be proud of in our diversity of cultures, and especially te reo Maori, which we as Kiwis ought to all learn more about.

‘‘We also have to learn to keep an open mind and listen to others because it can help you learn and grow so much more than doing otherwise.’’

Ravindran said he appreciates the Ship for World Youth programme experience, adding that he’s earned life-long friends in the process.

‘‘From spending time in Japan with local homestays, spending over a month at sea, and learning more about each others cultures - it’s far too hard to describe the experience in any way.

‘‘Everyone struggled to say goodbye at the end.’’