It’s what brings us together that sets us apart
Abhishek Verma, University of New South Wales

As Australians, it’s what brings us together that sets us apart.  At first glance, this statement may seem paradoxical, but in the context of the harmonious and peaceful society we live in, this adage is undeniably true.  Australia is one the most multicultural nations on the planet, with every country and almost every faith being represented amongst our population.  Yet, Australia is remarkably free from the political violence, discrimination, prejudice and inequality that mar many other similarly multicultural societies.  This poses the question: how can Australia continue to grow in harmony?  For future growth in harmony, the seedlings of trust, tolerance and respect need to be planted and nurtured and this can be achieved in a number of ways.  Although there is no “e” in harmony, my proposal for growth in harmony stems from eight “Es” that contribute to harmony:  egalitarianism, education of all people, embracing of diversity, emancipation and empowerment of those who have encountered injustices, equality for all people, the encouragement of community and cultural collaboration and participation, and the exchange of viewpoints and ideas between different cultural groups.

The first tenet of my proposal centres on fostering egalitarianism – the notion that all Australians are worthy of fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of life – politically, socially and economically.  Australians are fortunate that for the most part, there is no pervasive division between people who are financially advantaged and disadvantaged in terms of access to resources, healthcare and education.  However, to ensure continued growth in harmony, we must identify any barriers to egalitarianism, such as any prejudices or stereotypes that may exist against certain cultural or religious groups or and seek to address these by promoting the fundamental ethos of Australia – “a fair go” for all.

Education is critical to ensuring that Australia grows in harmony by encouraging knowledge of our diversity.  Already in primary schools, young children are being acquainted with different cultures by undertaking learning modules about different countries.  Additionally, almost all primary schools teach their students a second language which may range from Spanish to Arabic to Farsi.  This is something that should be promoted as facilitating greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and the value they contribute to the rich tapestry of Australian life.  As an example, the fact that the Australian Prime Minister is a fluent speaker of Chinese is testament to the fact that studying different cultures leads to a greater understanding and empathy with different peoples and promotes the nation’s growth in harmony.

Embracing diversity is of paramount importance in my proposal for continuing Australia’s growth in harmony.  As aptly declared in our national anthem, “for those who come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share.” and so a harmonious Australian society requires that all Australians welcome others to our nation, embracing their religious and cultural differences with respect and tolerance.  In this way, all Australians, regardless of their gender, age, race or creed can feel proud to be part of this diverse but singularly unified nation.

A crucial aspects of my proposal focuses on the emancipation and empowerment of those Australians who have suffered past maltreatment.  In particular, this applies to the Indigenous Australians, who have not only been dispossessed of their traditional land, but have also suffered other inexcusable abuses in the past.  The recent official apology made by the Australian Government to Indigenous Australians was a monumental step towards the emancipation and empowerment of these people, and with further affirmative action to rectify the wrongs of the past perpetrated against Aboriginal people, the Australian Government is in a position to ensure the harmonious future of the nation.

One of the most idealistic notions of my proposal is equality for all people.  Wherever inequality exists in Australia, it must be redressed.  Addressing disparities of healthcare, education and social services encountered by groups such as refugees, recent immigrants, financially disadvantaged persons, rural and indigenous Australians is an imperative in my proposal, as this forms the cornerstone of a harmonious society – one where everyone is equal.

The encouragement of community and cultural collaboration and participation is an aspect of my proposal that will promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding, thereby facilitating the nation’s growth in harmony.  To this end, the media can be utilised to discuss and highlight different cultural activities that may be occurring, for instance, a cross-cultural newspaper that features a variety of articles and invites all people to participate in cultural activities such as Eid, Hanukkah and Diwali.  With different cultures sharing their feasts, festivals and celebrations, more Australians can be exposed to the myriad of cultures that comprise our society.  Similarly, the application of my proposal would also mean encouraging all community members to use sport as a vehicle for national unity, either as a players or as spectators.  The basketball superstar Michael Jordan once remarked that nothing units people like the pursuit of sporting excellence, and this is most vividly demonstrated by the recently held Olympics in Beijing, where all nations and cultures united in a celebration of sporting achievements.  By appreciating the various foods, art, music and sport of different countries of origin, all Australians would glean a greater understanding of each other and this would promote Australia’s continued growth in harmony.

Finally, exchanging viewpoints and ideas in a mutually respectful way is another element of my proposal for continuing Australia’s growth in harmony.  Encouraging inter-faith dialogue and collaboration is central to promoting understanding and compassion for all people in society, and this can foster harmony when two very different groups can work together for a similar cause, for instance, the recent collaboration of the Hare Krishna group with Christian Aid charities working together to feed the homeless.

Ultimately, as Australia’s population burgeons, we must acknowledge that despite the differences in colour, race and religion that exist within our society, we are, in general, remarkably cohesive and harmonious.  Indeed, it is what brings us together that set’s us apart.  However, to maintain this harmony we must ensure that the seedlings of tolerance, respect, compassion and equality that have been planted in Australian values don’t just survive in our country, but indeed thrive, thereby guaranteeing continued growth in harmony

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