AN event to increase opportunities for minority groups and expand cultural awareness in Glasgow takes place at the City Chambers on September 4.

Celebrating Diversity, run by Radiant & Brighter Communities, features guest speakers including MSP and Evening Times columnist Humza Yousaf; Margaret Gibson, chief executive of Women's Enterprise Scotland and Ima Jackson, lecturer at the school of health and life sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Hosted by Alison Phipps, Professor of languages and intercultural studies and co-convener of Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network, the day-long event aims to celebrate and encourage diversity.

Talks will focus on the skills, talents, qualifications and abilities of different groups and communities, asking the question, "Does embracing diversity make our communities and structures healthier and more sustainable?"

Among the panellists are Ben Nevo, an NHS medical consultant; David Bates, regional manager at Marks & Spencer; Sergeant Kurt Anderson of Police Scotland recruitment; Twimukye Mushaka, fieldwork development officer at the Poverty Alliance; Chimezie Umeh, executive director at Baseline 360 Ltd; and Anwulika Umeh, a researcher at Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and director of Nneoma Women Enterprise Initiative.

Following on from the successful launch last year in Edinburgh of the Radiant and Brighter Communities annual event, the Glasgow gathering will look at the idea that embracing diversity will unlock the potential within communities and enable higher-value contributions for a socially and economically richer Scotland.

Radiant & Brighter Community Interest Company won the Team Award in June of at the South Side round of the Evening Times Community Champion awards.

It offers training courses for people needing employment, with their main focus being those from ethnic minority backgrounds who often struggle due to immigration controls.

Run solely by volunteers, they have supported 250 people since last year from 15 different countries with some even starting their own business.

Guest tickets, priced £35, are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radiant-and-brighter-communities-2015-celebrating-diversity-registration-12322148879?aff=es2