All you need is love to prevail over evil of terror

of Commerce has joined the Bishop and other leading regional figures in backing the campaign, which is designed to encourage people to “do something kind today” and has been launched following reports of an increase in racism and hate crimes across the country.

Such incidents have thankfully been rarer in Birmingham than elsewhere to date, but we must not assume that means all is well or rest on our laurels.

“Love Your Neighbour” banners are being displayed around the city and members of the public are being urged to record acts of kindness on a campaign website – www.loveyourneighbour.org – and through social media @ neighbourhoodbham .

We at the Chamber are joining members of the council, local businesses and faith leaders in throwing our weight behind the campaign.

And we are delighted to support it in this hour of necessity.

As a region we must work together to condemn hatred and division wherever we see it.

It is important for us to show unity and I would encourage businesses to support the campaign by displaying the “Love Your Neighbour” banner.

This will have a two-fold impact at least.

It shows that we are prepared to stand up and demonstrate our unity and display togetherness in one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country.

It sends out a strong message to people across the city and we urge business to play a full part because by their very nature they have to be inclusive.

Many of them lead by example through employing a diverse workforce as well as dealing with businesses from multiple religious and political backgrounds globally.

It is important for us to promote tolerance between faiths and the workplace is a perfect place as people of all religions and ethnicity gather every day to work together, whether they are accountants or machinists.

There is no rationale or justification for the evil perpetrated in France, and elsewhere, seemingly on a daily basis, across the globe but it is our duty to construct a proper humanitarian response.

We must, of course, harden our defences against such atrocities but by embracing Mr Bailey’s and Bishop David’s initiative we can all play a part in promoting understanding between cultures and demonstrating the good that exists when we pull together, as is shown on a daily basis throughout our great city. Paul Faulkner is chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of

Commerce