Use these two sites to research the demograhics of the UAE
Read the two articles
Then, in teams, change the PowerPoint on Cultural Diversity in the USA to reflect the situation in the UAE.
http://looklex.com/e.o/uae.religions.htm
Read the two articles
Then, in teams, change the PowerPoint on Cultural Diversity in the USA to reflect the situation in the UAE.
http://looklex.com/e.o/uae.religions.htm
http://looklex.com/e.o/uae.peoples.htm
Influx of foreigners spikes UAE
population to 8.3m
Percentage of
Emiratis falls to 11.5 per cent from 15.4 per cent in 2006
- By Samir
Salama, Associate Editor
- Published:
00:00 April 5, 2011
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
- The UAE's
population strategy plans to make Emiratis the majority in the country, or
up to 40 per cent, by 2021, members of the Federal National Council (FNC)
told Gulf News.
Abu Dhabi: The
influx of foreign workers and investment in the UAE has resulted in an
exponential growth of the population in the past four years.
Figures
published this month by National Bureau of Statistics indicated that 8.3
million were living in the country by mid-2010, up 65 per cent compared to
mid-2006.
However, the
percentage of Emiratis has dwindled to just 11.5 per cent from approximately
15.4 per cent in 2006.
The UAE's
population strategy plans to make Emiratis the majority in the country, or up
to 40 per cent, by 2021, members of the Federal National Council (FNC) told
Gulf News.
Dr Abdul Rahim
Al Shahin, a former representative from Ras Al Khaimah, said it would be for
the good of the country that Emiratis account for the majority or up to 35 per
cent of the population by 2021.
He suggested
the population strategy should encourage the natural increase in the Emirati
population while discouraging the recruiting of expatriate workers.
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The UAE has
seen its population surge from 5.01 million in 2006 to an estimated 8.26
million in the first half of last year.
Economic growth
The leap was
due to a huge influx of foreign workers during years of rapid economic growth,
while the number of Emiratis grew only from 851,164 in 2006 to 947,997 in the
first half of 2010.
The estimate
was based on records for foreign residents provided by the Interior Ministry,
in addition to natural population growth.
According to
the statistics posted on the bureau's website, Abu Dhabi had approximately 43
per cent of the national population or 404,546 people, while Dubai accounted
for approximately 18 per cent or 168,029.
Sharjah had
153,365, while Ajman 42,186, Umm Al Quwain 17,482, Ras Al Khaimah 97,592 and
Fujairah 64,860.
A nationality
breakdown of foreigners was not provided, and when contacted by Gulf News,
officials of the National Bureau of Statistics said the breakdown was not
available..
In 2009, South
Asians reportedly represented the majority of the UAE population.
Dr Al Shahin
also suggested cutting the marginal and low-skilled labourers as well as
centralising the issuance of visas into the hands of a single authority.
‘Political
decision'
"Emiratis
should make up to 80 per cent of the population within 20 to 25 years, a matter
which requires a political decision," Dr Al Shahin said.
Shaikh Saif Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who also heads
the Federal Demographic Council, said in a letter presented to the FNC in
January that a strategy to address the country's demographic imbalance was
nearing completion and would be relayed to the House, but did not reveal the
percentage of Emiratis the government targeted.
Dr Sultan Al
Moadhen, a former member from Fujairah, said the target should be making
Emiratis 40 to 50 per cent of the population by 2021.
Ethnic clubs as social cocoons
The bodies
celebrate national identity and culture but may also cause rifts among students
- Image Credit: Supplied
- "Unfortunately
[joining cultural clubs] can mean that groups do seem to get formed more
at the beginning of the course and may stop students from socialising
beyond their culture." - Dr Annie Crookes, Professor of psychology at
Middlesex University Dubai
As the UAE is
home to about 160 nationalities it is natural to expect its campuses to be as
diverse as possible. From Syrians to Sri Lankans to Lebanese and Nigerians,
there are more than 70 nationalities studying together in most universities
here. The ethnic identity of these students on campus is represented by various
cultural clubs. These clubs showcase the heritage of these ethnic groups by
celebrating national days by performing traditional dances and organising local
food festivals throughout the year. But the real question is are these clubs
making the campus truly multicultural or are they isolating students in their
own ethnic groups?
Comfort zone
The reality
according to experts is that students on campus show a tendency to mingle with
those from a similar ethnic background and this behaviour then gets extended to
the cultural clubs. In that way the clubs actually encourage student cliques
from a particular ethnic background. "Though there are students from
several nationalities on campus I usually see them socialising with those
sharing a similar culture. Even in the clubs you might see an Arab student
joining a Lebanese club or a Syrian club but never a South Asian club and vice
versa," says a psychologist and student counsellor of a leading university
in UAE.
Preeti Mogali,
a final year architecture student of American University of Sharjah (AUS),
agrees that there is a tendency among students to stick to clubs of their own
nationality as they share many common factors and feel that they are part of a
group. Barring one instance of joining the Pakistani club Preeti, an Indian by
origin, actively participated in the Indian club throughout the five years at
AUS. Her university has 34 such ethnic clubs.
Defence
mechanism
From the
psychological point of view a student's tendency to be attracted to clubs of
their own culture can be attributed as a defence mechanism to counter fears
associated with an unfamiliar environment. Psychologists say the ethnic clubs
give a much needed comfort factor to students for whom multiculturalism can be
intimidating at first.
According to Dr
Annie Crookes, professor of psychology at Middlesex University Dubai, when
people are in an unfamiliar and new situation they try to find comfort in what
is familiar and in the case of students it means that they are likely to be
drawn to those from similar backgrounds to gain some comfort and confidence in
a new situation. "Unfortunately this can mean that groups do seem to get
formed more at the beginning of the course and may stop students from
socialising beyond their culture. It is one of the key aspects of personal
development gained from universities and the social clubs and activities are a
big part of this, as are group coursework and assignments," adds Dr
Crookes.
Being far away
from their country, family and cultural environment international students join
cultural clubs to alleviate feelings of isolation. These clubs then help create
an almost home away from home through culturally representative enclaves.
"Although the clubs offer support and cultural familiarity in some
instances they may also create a case where the student interacts exclusively
with people from their own cultural background. However, if that's the case,
that student is likely to engage in this exclusivity with or without the
presence of the club," says Samineh Shaheem, assistant professor of
psychology, Human Relations Institute, Dubai. That suggests that the
personality of the student could also be one of the factors in his or her
choice of being cocooned in an ethnic group.
However, the
good news is that in all the universities students of any origin are free to
join clubs of any nationality or culture. In fact, some universities such as
American College of Dubai and Midldlesex University, Dubai have consciously
designed clubs that are not on the basis of ethnicity or culture.
"Our clubs
are based on causes," points out Dragana Symons, student activities
co-ordinator, Middlesex University Dubai. Middlesex's clubs are called awareness
clubs, student council club, sports club and drama club.
Understanding
heritage
On the part of
the students joining an ethnic club also means that they get to understand
their culture, history and heritage better. It is also a great channel to educate
other students about their society and country. As part of the Palestinian Arab
cultural club of the American University of Dubai one can learn Palestinian
dabkeh dancing, get music band training, read Palestinian books and watch DVDs.
Students also
get to understand the diversity of other cultures on Global Days or during
multicultural events where each ethnic club hosts stalls with indigenous
products.
Usha Goplani,
president of the Desi club at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, tells us
how she decorated her stall with traditional Indian wares to showcase her
country's rich cultural heritage. "I decorated the stall with Indian
jewellery, clothes, doli [used in marriages] sweets, spices and the tulsi
[basil] plant," says Goplani.
Socialising
Besides
learning about one's own culture the clubs provide an opportunity for students
to socialise and enjoy the lighter moments on campus. Each club organises and
participates in various events throughout the year. There are picnics and
barbecues in beaches and parks, singing and dancing performances, sports meets
and theatre acts. "If it were not for the clubs students would just attend
classes and go back home," adds Preeti.
Organising and
participating in student clubs also teaches these youngsters many essential
life skills. By interacting with students, professors and dignitaries they
acquire communication skills.
Arranging
events helps them to learn organisational skills. "During promotions for
clubs I learnt marketing techniques," says Abdul Rahman Habbal, president
of the Syrian club at AUS.
The clubs not
only help students express their diversity but also foster skills that will aid
them in their careers. Cultural or non-cultural, clubs are great channels for
one's overall development students say.
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