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What is Cultural Diversity? |
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Cultural Diversity is a fact The World has some 6000 communities and as many distinct languages. Such difference naturally leads to diversity of vision, values, beliefs, practice and expression, which all deserve equal respect and dignity.
Cultural Diversity is our everyday
reality
The international migration rate is growing fast
every year. According to the “International Migration Report 2002” of the
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of
migrants has doubled since the 1970s. The report also says that around 175
million persons are residing away from the country of their birth and one in every 10 persons in the
developed regions is a migrant. Also, more migrants are coming from
countries ever farther away. While the reasons for migration vary (economic,
political, personal choice …) , one thing is sure: we live in an increasingly heterogeneous
society.
Cultural Diversity reflects the
respect of fundamental rights
Culture is a set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and
emotional features of society or a social group. It encompasses, in addition
to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, values systems,
traditions and beliefs. Respecting and safeguarding
culture is a matter of Human Rights. Cultural Diversity
presupposes respect of fundamental freedoms, namely freedom of thought,
conscience and religion, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom to
participate in the cultural life of one's choice.
Cultural Diversity is our
collective strength
The Johannesburg Declaration on
Sustainable Development (September 2002) acknowledges that our rich
diversity, which is our collective strength, should be used to ensure
sustainable development (par. 16). Cultural Diversity, indeed, is not just a natural fact that we
need simply recognize and respect. It is about plurality of knowledge, wisdom
and energy which all contribute to improving and moving the World forward.
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Cultural diversity
From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
Cultural
diversity is the quality
of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture, as in the global
monoculture, or a homogenization of cultures, akin to cultural decay. For
example, before Hawaii was conquered by Europeans, the culturally diverse
Hawaiian culture existed in the world, and contributed to the world's cultural
diversity. Now Hawaii has been westernized; the vast majority of its culture
has been replaced with Western or American culture. The phrase cultural
diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's
differences.[citation needed] The phrase cultural diversity is
sometime misused to mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world
as a whole; but these phenomenon are multiculturalism rather than cultural
diversity. The culturally
destructive action of globalization is often said to have a negative effect on
the world's cultural diversity.
The many separate societies that emerged around the globe
differed markedly from each other, and many of these differences persist to
this day. As well as the more obvious cultural differences that exist between people,
such as language, dress and traditions, there are also significant variations
in the way societies organize themselves, in their shared conception of morality, and
in the ways they interact with their environment. Cultural diversity can be seen as analogous to biodiversity.[1]
What is cultural diversity?
Diversity is nothing more than a difference from the majority. In any
culture there is a majority and many minorities. Culture is a set of
norms that set standards for a society of what is acceptable behavior.
In every culture there are basic
standards for social interaction such as personal space distance, eye contact,
amount of body language displayed in public, negotiating style, etc. In
America, we stand about eighteen inches apart when engaged in normal
conversation; prefer very direct eye contact; are pretty demonstrative with body
language and negotiate very directly always asking the other party for their
“bottom line”. In other cultures they may stand closer or farther than we
are comfortable, may view direct eye contact as rude, be more or less open to
displaying body language and negotiate more indirectly.
In America, many of us have a
peculiar habit of assuming that those who differ from our norms are
wrong. We tend to view the world from a rather myopic view leading to
those outside this country calling us “Ugly Americans”.
Cultural diversity makes our country
richer by making it a more interesting place in which to live. Just think
how boring a meal would be without Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, German,
French or Indian food!
Cultural diversity also makes our
country stronger and better able to compete in the new global economy.
People from diverse cultures bring language skills, new ways of thinking,
creative solutions to difficult problems and negotiating skills.
In
the past, ethnographers in the United States used to refer to our country as a melting
pot where new immigrants would eventually be fully integrated into the
American culture. This has obviously not happened so modern researchers
have not begun to talk about America as a garden salad where different cultural
diversity mixes with the European American culture to form a meal where all of
the various ingredients are still readily identifiable.
Cultural diversity makes the United
States a much more interesting place in which to live for all of its inhabitants.
If we all thought alike imagine how boring the world would be!
What
is Cultural Diversity? http://www.mylearning.org/jpage.asp?jpageid=2022&journeyid=441
The phrase 'Cultural
Diversity' means a range of different societies or peoples with different
origins, religions and traditions all living and interacting together. Britain
has benefited from diversity throughout its long history and is currently one
of the most culturally diverse countries in the world!
The food we eat, the music we listen
to, and the clothes we wear have all been influenced by different cultures
coming into Britain. Ethnic food, for example, is part of an average British
diet. One of Britain's favourite dishes is Indian Curry. Britons have enjoyed
Curry for a surprisingly long time- the first curry on a menu was in 1773!
Even English is based on the
languages spoken by Anglo-Saxons, Scandinavian Vikings and Norman French
invaders, with words added from the languages of other immigrants over the
years!
Valuing
Our Cultural Diversity
In Britain today there is an
estimated 'ethnic minority' population of just over 4 million. We live in a
country rich in cultural heritage; but the value in this diversity is
sometimes not fully seen.
Valuing
our diverse culture in Britain today is all about understanding and respecting
other peoples beliefs and ways of life (as we would expect someone to respect
ours). It is about supporting individuals in keeping their cultural traditions
alive and appreciating the fact that all these different cultural traditions
will enrich British life both today and in the future.
cultural
diversity
noun
1.
the cultural
variety and cultural
differences that exist in the world, a society, or an
institution: Dying languages
and urbanization are threats to cultural
diversity.
2.
the inclusion of diverse people in a group or organization:
to embrace cultural diversity in the workplace.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To cultural diversity
Dictionary.com's 21st Century
Lexicon
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Main
Entry:
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cultural diversity
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Part
of Speech:
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n
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Definition:
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ethnic, gender, racial, and
socioeconomic variety in a situation, institution, or group; the coexistence of different ethnic, gender, racial, and
socioeconomic groups within one social unit
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What is Cultural Diversity? http://www.salto-youth.net/rc/cultural-diversity/about/what-is-cultural-diversity/
Diversity should be understood as
being a fact of our societies, both historically and contemporarily. At school,
at work, in every day life we come across Cultural Diversity.
When we speak about Cultural
Diversity, what do we think of it? What comes to mind? What doesn't it include?
Culture, Religion, Ethnicity,
Language, Nationality, Sexual Orientation, Class, Gender, Age, Disability,
Dialogue, Tolerance, Interaction, Equality, Difference, Racism, Intolerance,
Discrimination, Prejudice, Xenophobia, and even more things.
UNESCO
Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (Article 1)
- 'Culture takes diverse forms across time and space.
This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the
identities of the groups and societies making up mankind. As a source of
exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary
for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the
common heritage of humanity and should be recognised and affirmed for the
benefit of present and future generations.'
·
The University of Melbourne's
Cultural Diversity Policy affirms that cultural diversity encompasses
differences based on race, ethnicity, language, religion, value and belief
systems, disability, class, sexuality, gender, age and educational background.
The cultural diversity of the University is a strength and an asset, and we
value diversity of opinions, perspectives and interests.
·
Valuing
Cultural Diversity
·
The University of Melbourne is
committed to social harmony and cohesion, supporting all staff and students as
they achieve a deeper appreciation of their own cultures, as well as greater
cross-cultural understanding. The University strives to create an environment
where staff and students promote culturally inclusive behaviour and activities,
ensure cultural differences are heard and explored, and actively seek to learn
from other cultures.
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