February 19, 2026
Welcome to our first newsletter for 2026 and Year of the Fire Horse! What are you doing to spice things up this year? As your purveyors of cultural diversity, we have a cornucopia of exciting ideas, offerings and provocations for you, so saddle up, settle in and check them out!
The Grain of Salt and Mustard
You know diversity is important, but Primo Levi said it so well.
‘In order for the wheel to turn, for life to be lived, impurities are needed, and the impurities of impurities in the soil, too, as is known, if it is to be fertile. Dissension, diversity, the grain of salt and mustard are needed: Fascism does not want them, forbids them, and that’s why you’re not a Fascist; it wants everybody to be the same, and you are not. But immaculate virtue does not exist either, or if it exists it is detestable.’
Primo Levi, The Periodic Table, 1975
Cultural Diversity at UNESCO 2026
More than 8,500 languages, dialects and speech groups. One mission: ensure inclusion for every voice in global culture.
Our European representative Mario Chatzidamianos made two contributions to UNESCO’s Nineteenth Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, including this intervention on linguistic diversity and the role of data in strengthening implementation of the 2005 Convention. Watch 👇
Education & Experience News
Share Your Story & Win a Cultural Program
Have your students loved their Cultural Infusion experience?
We’re inviting schools that participate in any Cultural Infusion program between now and 30 April 2026 to submit a short student reflection video sharing what they learned and enjoyed.
It’s quick and easy:
🎬 1–2 minutes
👩🏽🤝👩🏼 Featuring 2–3 students
💬 Students share what they discovered, enjoyed or found meaningful
Every school that submits a video will go into the draw to win:
✨ A free Cultural Infusion program in Term 3 or 4 (state-specific prizes apply)
✨ Extended Learning Hub Premium access for the whole school
This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage and amplify student voices while celebrating cultural learning in action.
We can’t wait to hear what your students have to say.
Winner Announcement
The draw will take place on Monday, 4 May 2026 at Cultural Infusion’s Collingwood office and the winning school will be notified directly via email the same day. Cultural Infusion may publish the name of the winning school following confirmation.
The Learning Hub: New Resources for Educators
Schools can access the Learning Hub (formerly Learning Lands) and its complimentary award-winning digital teaching resources as part of any Cultural Infusion program booking.
Now featuring:
- 5 new Professional Development modules for educators
- 20 new Intercultural Competency lesson plans
All current resources are undergoing review and refinement for quality assurance and will be fully accessible by May 2026.
ICAP: A Free 8-Session Program Promoting Inclusive Classrooms
Limited spots are left for our Intercultural Citizenship Ambassador Program (ICAP)* program – already delivered at several Victorian government schools, with strong engagement and positive feedback.
This free program for VIC government schools, developed with the Victorian Government’s Future Ready initiative, builds cultural awareness, empathy and self-esteem through facilitated sessions. ICAP can be delivered during class time or adapt as a before- or after-school wellbeing program, making it easy to integrate into your school’s timetable.
*Available in Victoria only. Free for Year 6, 7, 8 and 9 students at Victorian government schools.
Contact us for more information.
Cultural Infusion’s Atlas for Schools
Did you know your school can benefit from the world’s best diversity data technology, used in more than 40 countries and by some of the world’s leading organisations?
Atlas for Schools starts with a simple survey.
Participation is voluntary, and all data are anonymised, de-identified and reported in aggregate, in accordance with the strictest cybersecurity and ethical research standards.
Once completed is where the magic happens…
Our team produces a 10-page report containing data-informed insights designed to uniquely benefit your school. You will discover:
- All the languages your students speak
- Countries of birth* (going back three generations)
- Cultural identities represented in your school community
- School subject preferences
- Student engagement and sense of belonging at school
- How well-connected students feel with their peers
- Disability and long-term health conditions across your student body
- Religious and worldview diversity
- What matters most to your students right now*
- Student intentions about staying at your school*
- Countries students aspire to visit
- Participation patterns across year levels and gender
*See our FAQs for how we define ‘country of birth’.
All insights can be filtered by year level, gender, and other meaningful demographic dimensions to help you understand and support every student.
Certain data points are included in secondary school reports only and may vary based on school level.
Each survey, to be launched during Harmony Week (16 to 22 March), starts at $500 + GST with $1.50 per student/staff (minimum 20 per cohort).
Simulated case study: Terenwood Primary School
Fictionalised data from a fictionalised school
Discover what is truly possible with effective diversity data!
Supported by the Victorian Government, we still have some limited free spots for government schools.
Enquire NOW to avoid disappointment!
New Programs and Experiences for Schools and Communities
Iranian Rhythms & Culture (VIC)
Rhythms & Culture of the Philippines (WA)
Contact us for more information.
Culture at Work
The same skills young people develop through intercultural learning are essential in today’s workplaces. Whether in classrooms or boardrooms, the overarching question remains the same: how do we build environments where cultural diversity leads to understanding, vibrant belonging and measurable impact?
Tech Show London 2026
On 4 March, our CEO and Founder Peter Mousaferiadis is delivering a keynote and on 5 March he is moderating a fireside chat at Tech Show London 2026, exploring the future of inclusion with the question, ‘Is DEI dead in the digital age?’
Our Head of Culture, Innovation and Engagement Kasia Hayward writes about agency in the AI-embedded enterprise and joins a panel on 4 March.
Cultural Infusion is an official media partner for Tech Show London 2026.
Data-Driven Tools for Today’s Inclusion Leaders
B Corp Evidence Data Collection
B Corp sets the global benchmark for organisations that lead with purpose, equity and accountability but addressing the new B Corp standards and providing evidence can be time-intensive, especially when it comes to gathering staff cultural diversity data.
The Atlas now offers two simple surveys – PCI and GDEIB – that will help you meet twenty B Corp standards.
These two low-burden surveys can be deployed easily and will collect ‘live’ evidence for your B Corp submission – all on one dashboard.
Even if you are not meeting B Corp requirements, the results will greatly enrich your staff and supplier intel.
PCI for Self-Assessment and Benchmarking
By capturing perspectives from leaders and staff independently, the PCI reveals a single score, representing the ‘perception gap’ between leadership and staff.
Developed by Cultural Infusion’s data science and HR experts, the PCI is a simple approach to measuring workplace culture.
GDEIB Digital for All Your Self-Assessment and Reporting Needs
Are you looking for an easy way to view and share your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion data? Cultural Infusion is GDEIB certified, and we have launched GDEIB Digital to enable you to self-assess and benchmark, powered by the Atlas’s scientific methodology and unrivalled expertise in people data.
Voices of Cultural Infusion
Navigating Cultural Complexity
Peter Mousaferadis responds to current events in Australia in the following pieces, ‘Adelaide Writers’ Week and Ariadne’s Thread: Can Our Cultural Institutions Navigate Complexity?’ and ‘The Rise of Oikophobia’.
Mélanie Chevalier from Insight Connect interviewed Peter about his interest in cultural diversity and the unexpected origins of the Atlas. Watch 👉
Our Chief Technology Officer Rezza Moieni’s team publish their papers in an array of academic journals. Here is a digest of their latest.
The team built an AI system that can spot when other AI systems are being subtly discriminatory in their writing! Rezza writes about this in ‘Teaching AI to Spot Its Own Biases’.
How do you quantify disparity between languages? Rezza discusses the concepts that allow Cultural Infusion’s Atlas to do this in his article, ‘Breaking Down Language Barriers: Measuring How “Far Apart” Languages Really Are’.
Rezza calls microaggressions ‘the papercut of discrimination’ in ‘Catching Those “Did They Really Just Say That?” Moments with AI’, his account of his team’s efforts to build an AI model that detects microaggressions.
‘When forecasting tools are aligned with the complexity of global, diverse markets, they can offer meaningful insight into long-term trends. Used thoughtfully, such models can support better strategic decisions in an increasingly dynamic technology landscape.’ Read Rezza’s article about what six years of data reveals when it comes to forecasting the future of technology.
Our Product Director Quincy Hall reveals why ‘Belonging Is a Dodgy Word on Surveys’.
Coming Soon
Stay tuned for details!
Calendar Spotlight
International Day of Happiness, 20 March 2026
Happiness is a basic human right, and advocating for happiness and wellbeing helps cultivate a world that is more peaceful, fair and sustainable. This is a day to celebrate the joy of making the world a better place for everyone.
Cultural Infusion’s Yoga and Mindfulness program in Victoria and New South Wales teaches mindfulness techniques in an age-appropriate way. Ranging from pre-primary to Year 12, young people learn skills in bettering emotional regulation, self-esteem and anxietyValli introduces traditional techniques and history for young people to be fully immersed into the experience of yoga. In addition, Cultural Infusion also offers a Didgeridoo Mindfulness Journey program which includes didgeridoo playing with animal sounds and interactive rhythmic playing. Designed for children of all ages, Didgeridoo Mindfulness Journey is offered in Victoria.
Music has proven benefits for the human brain. Studies have demonstrated that music improves perceptual, linguistic and social skills. Our online platform Sound Infusion is a means of creative expression for people to be inspired, relaxed and interested in captivating rhythms from all around the globe. Developing discipline and dedication at a young age sets a foundation for healthy habits throughout adulthood.
Follow Peter Mousaferiadis on LinkedIn
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