The UK is becoming increasingly diverse. This reality is highlighted by the refugee, asylum and migration humanitarian crisis unfolding across Europe. It must be tackled with compassion and empathy. Scotland is advantageously placed to act as a positive example in the UK, having moved beyond the outdated practice of labelling communities. This has manifested itself in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's response to the humanitarian crisis.

The UK Government's rhetoric is of concern. How do we encourage a human rights-based approach and culture of diverse, democratic citizenship when it suggests accepting miniscule numbers (20,000 people over five years) in comparison to our European neighbours and proposes potentially relocating Syrian child refugees when they reach the age of 18?

Why invest in individuals over a number of years if that investment is lost when we begin to deport people when they reach adulthood? What does this say about the society we are creating?

Our role as a nation must be to cultivate diverse potential, deliver opportunity, extract knowledge, skills and expertise and respond to citizens as assets and human beings.

It is important that all of us – national and local government, public bodies, institutions, community organisations, faiths groups and NGOs – view individuals, regardless of where they come from, as diverse global citizens and minority communities, as part of the fabric of the nation, celebrating our heritage and fully participating in society.

We are joined by our humanity and enhanced by our diversity. This is also true at a local level. Our mosaic of communities must pull together to face the challenges of the modern world.

We must move beyond polarising communities as "us and them", "black and white" and look upon our local, national and international neighbours as equal, diverse and fundamental parts of our shared future.

The foundations of our success will be built upon our ability to respond as individuals, as local communities, as a community of nations and as a continent of equals to the challenges of globalisation.

The independence referendum saw a huge increase in diverse, participative, democratic citizenship. For many, previously on the democratic fringes of society, their re-engagement was built upon basic human aspirations: safe and adequate housing, fair work, fair pay, cultural and community recognition, internationalism and a fairer society.

Our aspirations are the same as everybody else's: to live with dignity, fairness and free of discrimination.

The ability to vote is worthless if your main concern is feeding your family or heating your house. Civic and political rights are undermined by a UK government austerity agenda that acts as a barrier to citizenship and rhetoric, separates communities and dehumanises the most vulnerable.

Let’s put this myth to bed. People do not flee their homes and travel across unimaginably dangerous territory to take advantage of the UK’s social security system.

Sections of the media that prey on difference by whipping up stereotypes of "migrants" or vulnerable groups take the attention away from more important issues and project their own prejudice and ignorance onto the public sphere.

Rights are key to progressing a shared and positive future for all. Domestic and global citizenship is a pathway to creating humanitarian responses. These must be informed by our ability to see the world through the eyes of those most in need, at home and across the world.

If we are still unprepared to act or make an adequate response in full knowledge of the human experience, we must raise our collective voice, demand action from those with responsibility and begin to change the future.

Every single person in the UK holds a part of the answer to present and future challenges.

For their part, governments must shoulder their responsibilities. A cohesive, dynamic, confident and responsive society of equals nurtures diverse cultural characteristics and fulfils basic human principles.

Humanity and compassion must be the priority for the custodians of our democratic institutions. Their example on a global stage will influence society at home. The UK Government must do more to help the refugee and humanitarian crises. If it does not, these crises will threaten to undermine its own objective to create an economically and culturally vibrant, responsive and shared society for all.

Dr Ousta is chief executive of BEMIS Scotland, the ethnic minorities-led umbrella body.