In today's global community, diversity issues touch everyone at every level. However the current Australian political shifts have undermined diversity issues at the level of policy and resource allocation. These transformative times, marked by international economic and population issues, have the potential to generate both positive energy, new and innovative thinking or can prove to be counterproductive, creating negativity and discrimination. The capacity of a society to harness the positive effects of diversity is dependent on our attitude, knowledge and policy direction at the level of leadership.

Now in its fourth year, the International Unity in Diversity Conference has adopted the theme of Media, Marginality and Diversity to bring to light and scrutinise the way traditional and new media and policy engage with diversity issues. In 2011 conference, we will seek to expand these themes to encompass the challenges of diversity and marginality within the age care, disability, mental health, youth and indigenous sectors.