We’re all in this together
Louise Burns, Curtin Univ.of Technology

In February this year, the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generation of the Australian Indigenous population.  This was a major step forward for multiculturalism in a country which is no longer a ‘White Australia’ but home to people from every corner of the globe.  By acknowledging the past, the occasion represented hope for the future and an opportunity for us to grow together in harmony.  To achieve this goal, recognition, understanding and tolerance of the many different cultures and religions represented in Australia most be promoted.

Education from an early age about the different cultures and religions represented in Australia will promote greater recognition understanding and tolerance of the nation’s diversity.  It is also vital when teaching history or social studies to prevent an ‘us versus them’ mentality amongst school children.  Regular guest speakers from different cultural and religious groups in schools would also provide students with an insight into other alternative ways of life.

Student exchange programs are already in place and should be encouraged as the scheme facilitates cultural exchange between nations and provides students with an opportunity to study and live with individuals from other cultures.  By interacting with and learning about other cultures and religions from an early age, potential intolerance and discrimination issues can be stemmed.  A national celebration of the different religious and national holidays of Australia’s migrant population will enable everyone to share the special occasions of their heritage and to learn about the special events of other cultures.  Fairs and concerts can be organised to gather different cultural communities together and allow migrants from other nations to display their native traditions such as food, dance and song.

Migration programs in order to fill Australia’s immense shortage of skilled and unskilled workers are already proving successful and the Prime Minister’s proposed expansion of migration will enhance the skills base and cultural diversity of Australia’s population.  Therefore, Australia’s workplaces will become much more culturally diverse and as such, workplaces will need to be more flexible in order to accommodate the cultural and religious obligations of staff.  With this in mind, university and training organisations should provide cross-cultural learning modules in order to educate students about different cultures’ business practices and teach them how to work effectively within a culturally diverse workplace.

The media strongly influences public beliefs and opinions, therefore journalists and reporters should be encouraged to provide several points of view when presenting a story regarding intercultural exchange.  Students should be taught to acknowledge reliable information sources and ignore biased news and information.  Furthermore, television shows and films produced in Australia should become more ethnically diverse and demonstrate peaceful inter-cultural relationships.  Young people in particular are heavily influenced by popular media and therefore are likely to emulate what is viewed onscreen.

Humour is also an important tool in diffusing racial or religious tension, provided it is not discriminatory.  Television programs such as the SBS’ Salam Café offer a satirical approach to understanding cultural and religious diversity.  In this way, humour can bridge barriers by exploiting the similarities between cultures, thus proving that regardless of cultural or religious diversity we are all essentially the same.

Tougher penalties should be in place for those who participate in racist criminal acts such as those which occurred at Cronulla in 2005.  In addition, harsher penalties will help to restrain the rise of racist Nazi or Nationalist groups which could have the ability to damage Australia’s status as a fair and multicultural society.  Racial bullying must be curbed early by implementing harsher disciplinary actions in schools for those who discriminate against race or religion.

Programs or encourage immigrants to reside in regional areas where there is little diversity will promote greater understanding and tolerance of different cultures and religions in country areas of Australia.  In addition, programs to assist new migrants in settling into Australia and adopting the Australian way of life whilst preserving their traditional customs will help assimilate new arrivals into the country and make them feel welcome in their new home.

Religious leaders of different faiths must communicate and cooperate together on important issues within the community and aim to resolve any disputes between people of different ethnicities and religions.  Religious leaders are highly influential in Australian society, arguably more so than politicians, therefore they can play a vital role in securing peaceful relationships between different faiths.

For Australia to continue to grow peacefully as a diverse, multicultural nation, everyone must accept and respect the differences between the cultures and religions which comprise our great nation.  By taking small steps to teach all Australians from a young age to respect the cultural diversity of their fellow citizens and to eliminate racist or discriminatory behavior, the nation can grow to be a harmonious place for all.

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