Here's what my 7-year-old niece answered in a school project asking, "What is Diversity?"

In my opinion Diversity is when you go another country and you learn, National Anthem and eat new foods, see new flags, famous painting. You can learn different languages, see meet new people (friends), different shops, see a new prime minister. New Zealand isn't the same as other countries we might be better than them we might be worse than them but no one cares we are all different.

Great answer (even though I'm biased). Now let's look behind Sophie's words to see what she's uncovered:

• "In my opinion..." — Diversity means different things for different people.
• "...you go to another country and you learn..." Diversity requires moving out of your comfort zone and exploring.
• "...new foods...new flags...famous painting...different languages..." Diversity is multi-dimensional.
• "...meet new people (friends)..." Diversity is about communication, relationships, getting to know each other well.
• "...different shops, see a new prime minister..." Diversity inhabits the economy and politics.
• "New Zealand isn't the same as other countries..." Diversity is about recognising our uniqueness.
• "...we might be better than them we might be worse than them..." Diversity requires recognising uncertainty and admitting we could be wrong.
• "...but no one cares..." Diversity requires suspension of judgment.
• "...we are all different." Indeed we are (and we're the same too!)

There you go, diversity in a nutshell. Not bad for seven I'd say.