Studies in Multicultural Societies

1. Studies in Multicultural Societies Different Peoples, One World Historic and Immigration-based Multiculturalism Hari Srinivas Room: I-312 / 079-565-7406

2. “Multi”Cultural Societies? A group of people living within a geographically defined are … Multicultural societies relates to communities containing multiple cultures. Culture that can be defined using different criteria such as religion, fiid, language, music, dance, art etc.

3. Multiculturalism in Australia • Australia by its very nature is a multicultural country. It was essentially created by three waves of migration: • Pre-historic ancient migration of people from Asia, who became the Australian aboriginals • Pre-World War II migration from Britain and other European countries • Post-World War II migration from Asia and other regions WAVE WAVE WAVE

4. Multiculturalism in Australia • The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Australia estimated that, in 2010: • 25% of the Australian workforce was born outside of Australia • 40% had at least one parent born outside of Australia. People come to Australia from different countries with different cultural backgrounds Original meaning Australians have different cultural backgrounds which define their identity and ethnicity New meaning

5. Multiculturalism in Australia

6. resident population. Multiculturalism in Australia

7. Multiculturalism in Australia Of course, Australia was not a perfect multicultural society! There were problems …

8. Multiculturalism in Australia FOUR PRINCIPLES: Multiculturalism makes Australia a vibrant and creative country People of all cultures have equal opportunity to grow and expand Multiculturalism provides much needed skills and labour to meet the needs of the economy Australia opposes all forms of discrimination and intolerance The new multicultural policy of Australia

9. Multiculturalism in Australia Lessons learnt from Australia: A nation created by historic movement of people, as well as recent migration, resulting in a multicultural society. A government policy that clearly understands the meaning and benefits of multiculturalism, and uses it for the development of the country and its economy.

10. Multiculturalism is here to stay The principle that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist peacefully and equitably in a single community or country There has always been problems with multicultural societies • Race discrimination • Fear and distrust of “strange foreigners” • Different lifestyle abd values Yes, we are still facing these problems …

11. Mixing Cultures In multicultural societies, different cultures come together and mix … Everything gets mixed together! As melting pots Eg. New York Everything stays separate and unique! As salad bowls Eg. Singapore

12. People have always moved … Historically, as a part of a nomadic lifestyle, bringing people from different cultures togehter People have always moved from one place to another … More recently, government policies on migration have also brought people together CREATING MULTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

13. Moving cultures People take with them a number of different aspects of their culture, and take steps to preserve them in their new location Religion Language Food Music Dance Art Dress

14. People have always moved … People have always moved for different reasons: Economic reasons: Trade and jobs Religious reasons: Pilgrimage War and conflict: Displacement And they have always taken their cultures with them! Visible Culture: +anguage, art, music, dance, food, religion, dress etc. Invisible Culture: Values, norms, morals etc.

15. Changing cultures In the new places, people have made their mark in many ways – They have destroyed the local culture and replaced their own culture They have set up their own distinct corners in the country They have integrated and become part of the local culture

16. Changing cultures Integrated more broadly into the local culture, but maintained their identity Created pockets of unique cultures different from the local culture Destroyed and replaced local cultures Migration-based multiculturalism Historic trends in multiculturalism

17. Historic movement of people … Examples of historic movement of people: Africans moving north to Europe and other regions in prehistoric times Malays moving south to different parts of southeast Asia Mayans moving to different parts of south America Creating multicultural societies in new places

18. Migration of people … Examples of migration-based movement of people: Europeans moving to the Americas Dutch, British (and later others) settlers to South Africa Chinese migrating to Southeast Asia Creating multicultural societies in new places

19. Policy-making with Culture The policies that we develop require people and communities to – Implement activities Interact as a group Work towards a goal Change behaviour Understanding the dimensions of their unique and individual culture helps us design policies that are appropriate to the context and culture.

20. Benefits of multiculturalism But the benefits of multiculturalism are too many to ignore, including for example: Increased innovation and creativity Interesting community character and variety Entrepreneurship for business development and economic growth

21. Contact me … Resources, websites, ideas, notes will be available online: www.gdrc.info/sms/ Send me an email anytime! Hari Srinivas hari.srinivas@kwansei.ac.jp IMPORTANT: When you send an email, please always put “[SMS]” in the subject line!