Is Australia a Successful Example of Multiculturalism in Action - Essay Example

Is Australia a successful example of multiculturalism in action? Introduction The concept of multiculturalism evokes a condition in which people of various cultures live together in harmony in society. However, such is a simplistic perspective because multiculturalism is much more that. The concept of multiculturalism has been defined as the creation of social conditions under which diversity could thrive and flourish. As a consequence of such emerging social conditions, a new concept of solidarity emerges that embraces the new reality of increasing diversity of society (Berman and Paradies 2008). The implication of this definition is that multiculturalism is something that is deliberately and consciously adopted. Such an implication is clearly validated in UNESCO’s definition of the concept. According to UNESCO multiculturalism is a confluence of a trilateral phenomenon that is constituted by the following elements: demographics, norms or principles and government strategy. Thus, multiculturalism necessarily entails a varied demographic make-up of people from various races and ethnicities, norms and principles supporting equality for all persons, of whatever race and ethnicity, to participate equally in matters pertaining to social, political, economic and cultural life, and deliberate adoption by the government of multicultural policies (Berman and Paradies 2008). The issue in this paper, however, is not simply whether Australia is an example of a multicultural society, but whether it illustrates multiculturalism in action. The phrase ‘in action’ connotes dynamism or multiculturalism that is working and breathing, not simply some inert phrase being used to paint an ideal social condition. Applying all these elements in the Australian context, it is evident that Australia is an example of multiculturalism in action. The pockets of weaknesses perpetrated through racist acts in everyday life, does not deter this finding as overall the Australian government and its people exert much efforts to sustain multiculturalism. B. Australia and Multiculturalism 1. Demographics From a demographics point-of-view, Australia has the met the first element required to sustain a multicultural state. The present Australian demographics show a population that originated from a varied number of countries. This state of things did not come instantaneously, but went through a long and painful process. Australia’s history as commonly known was a story of British occupancy of a vast continent the latter considered terra nullius or ‘unowned land.’ This was despite the presence of aborigines already occupying it (Banner 2005). As shown in Fig. 1, Australia’s population born overseas in 1893 was more than 30%, as estimated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This number dwindled down to just 10% in the 1940s, which can be explained by the adoption of the Immigration Restriction Bill in 1901, which represented the White Australian policy. It was during this era that Australians believed the British lineage as the superior stock and that, therefore, Australia must keep itself away from being diluted by non-British stock. However, the damage wrought by the country during World War II made the government realise that it needed to reinforce its population from the outside world to build a stronger economy. Nonetheless, it was only in the mid-1960s that the White Australia policy was totally abandoned. This was after assimilation of foreign-born persons to Australia’s culture became a failure (Stratton and Ang 1994). As of 2013, about 27.7%, or 6.4 million, of Australia’s population were born overseas. More people come into Australia than people going out of it. In 2012, the figure was 27.3% and in 2003, it was 23.6%. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the rate has been going up since the late 1940s. Although those born from the UK still formed the largest bulk of the overseas’ born population at 5.3%, there were also those coming from New Zealand (2.6%), China (1.8%), India (1.6%) and Vietnam (0.9%). There were also those who originated from the Philippines, Italy, South Africa, Malaysia, Germany and other countries. Persons coming from the UK, however, have dwindled in numbers, but those coming from New Zealand, China and India have increased, but it was those coming from Nepal that had the highest growth rate at an annual rate of 26.3%. Similarly, persons from Sudan, Pakistan and Bangladesh are also coming in faster rates. Fig 1, Australians born overseas, statistics from 1893 to 2013 (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2. Government Strategy Nonetheless, mere variety demographics do not shape multiculturalism alone. As UNESCO’s definition of the word, there must be intentional government strategy and norms and principles adopted must support a society that is made up of people coming from different cultural, ethnic and social persuasions. Clearly, Australia succeeds in meeting the element of deliberate government strategy to adopt multiculturalism as can be seen from various laws passed since the 1970s. Multiculturalism, however, did not immediately as a government policy after WWII. The idea was for immigrants to assimilate the Australian culture after they have sworn their oath to Australia in accordance with the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, which required only a residency of five years and the ability to speak English. However, assimilation failed in many respects because it resulted in the isolation of the immigrants, which jeopardised the purpose for which they were allowed entry into the country. In the 1960s, integration became the new policy, but it likewise failed to achieve its purpose (Galligan and Roberts 2003). In 1975, in a move that signalled the country’s total abdication of its White Australian policy, legislators passed the Racial Discrimination Act as part of its emerging multicultural policy (Moran 2011). It was believed that multiculturalism was necessary for the survival of Australia (Jopke 2004). The policy statement contained in Multiculturalism for All Australians: Our Developing Nationhood, which was presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 1982 made clear the intention of the government to make multiculturalism an Australian policy. In 1989, the Hawke government published the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia where it was declared that Australia was by then already a multicultural state. The Howard government, between the years 1996-2007, also adopted the term ‘Australian multiculturalism’ (Moran 2011). 3. Norms and Policies Finally, does the Australian society itself embrace the concept of multiculturalism as proven by the adoption of norms and principles that promote equality in all aspects of life? It has been acknowledged that racism still exists in Australia, as it exists in other parts of the world. Such racist activities are usually heightened in the wake of terrorist activities perpetrated abroad, such as the bombing of Bali in 2002 and the 9/11 incident in the US (Dunn 2009). It has been acknowledged that multicultural ideals are being placed under severe pressure in Australia and other parts of the world. In the Australian context, multiculturalism is put to a test with Chinese immigrants and other groups that are rapidly increasing in number and streaming into the country and their engagement in various levels of the bureaucracy (Jakubowicz 2011). Similarly, the presence of Muslim communities in Australia has worked to challenge the culture and policy of multiculturalism that the government is trying to embed in the system. The involvement of Muslims in global terrorist activities, particularly in the 9/11 incident in 2001, the Bali bombing in 2002 and the London bombing in 2005, creates a strain in multicultural Australia, just as it does in other Western countries. As of 2003, there were more than 280,000 Muslims in Australia the majority or 36.43 % of whom were Australian born. The strain created by the presence of Muslim communities on Australian multiculturalism was highlighted by the so-called ‘White riot’ against Muslims youths that were visiting in Sydney in December that year (Jakubowicz 2007). The attacks were precipitated by an incident in Cronulla beach where four Muslim youths attacked two surf lifesavers for taunting them. The media sensationalised the event triggering 5,000 white Australians to organise through mobile texting and attack any Middle Eastern looking persons a week later (Poynting 2006). The Muslims retaliated days later by raiding neighbouring suburbs for two days (Jakubowicz 2007). The Cronulla incident, however, is a rarity in the Australian context, which is quite surprising considering that Australia has the largest immigration programme per capita in the entire world. This is seen as a success that can be attributed to the country’s multicultural programme and policy (Poynting 2006). Despite pockets of racism experience in everyday life, there is strong support for anti-racism policy, so that racist actions are being overshadowed by good relations that are being practiced by most Australians. An author has called this ‘geography of cultural repair.’ In other words, there may be those who acted in racist manner, but at the opposite side there are those who try to exert efforts to counter racist actions or activities (Dunn 2009). The government and the public continued to reiterate their support for the policy. In a recently published report, the Australian government has reiterated its commitment to the ideals of multiculturalism – “a just, inclusive and socially cohesive society ... where government services are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds” (Australian Government 2013). In incidents that reflected cultural or religious conflicts, the government immediately steps in. In 2005, to resolve the problem of the Muslim threat to multiculturalism, the Australian government organised a summit of Muslim moderate leaders. It also conducted various interfaith dialogues and intercultural programmes (Jakubowicz 2007). Inter-faith dialogues are summits attended by persons of various religious persuasions for the purpose of knowing and understanding each other’s faith. Some instances of inter-faith dialogues organised by the government were: the ‘Journey of Promise’ in 2003 in which a $50,000 government-funded joint celebration of young Christians, Muslims and Jews were held during Eid el Feitr in a synagogue in Sydney and an Orthodox Christmas in an Armenian Church; and the $100,000 government-funded ‘Project Abraham: Reaching out to the country’ where groups of various faiths came together in partnership through weekly seminars to solve common issues, such as alcohol problems, drug addiction and others (Ho 2006). Conclusion Australia is an example of multiculturalism in action. It meets all the elements of the concept of multiculturalism, particularly that of the trilateral definition of UNESCO. Australian multiculturalism was a conscious decision that came about after the damage wrought by World War II to global economy and civilization. On the part of Australia, the war made the government realise that to improve the country’s economic and social standing, it must open its doors to outsiders and embrace even those with different cultural and ethnic persuasions. This meant the complete abandonment of its White Australia policy. However, as the policies of assimilation and integration failed to achieve their intended ends, the government wisely turned to multiculturalism. Today, Australia, together with Canada, is acknowledged as one of the few countries where multiculturalism has succeeded and is thriving. Not only is a significant portion of its population made up of people from various parts of the world bringing in their unique culture, social and ethnicity, but multiculturalism has been part and parcel of government strategy since the demise of the White Australian policy. Since the 1970s, various Australian administrations have reiterated their respective commitment to the principles of multiculturalism. The Australian public, in general, also supports multiculturalism and efforts are constantly exerted to create harmony in society by eliminating or countering acts of racism. Racist acts still exist as they do in various parts of the world and rare instances of riots involving religious and ethnic conflicts arise. However, they are not generally tolerated by the public and the government. Efforts are continuously exerted to eliminate acts that destroy and weaken the country’s multicultural policy. Despite perceptions that there is a general downscaling of multiculturalism in the world, that began in Australia after the publication of the Fitzgerald Report in 1988 (Jopke 2004), multiculturalism is still in action and very much alive in this continent state. This is probably because multiculturalism has already been embedded in the Australian psyche after long years of practicing and sustaining multiculturalism. Recent statements from the current administration reiterating its commitment to its principles validate this. References ABS. 2013. Migration Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/1446A29E1BD5D333CA257C 44001900AA/$File/34120_2011-12%20and%202012-13.pdf Australian Government. 2013. The People of Australia: Australia’s Multicultural Policy. https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/12_2013/people-of-australia- multicultural-policy-booklet_print.pdf. Banner, S. 2005. Why terra nullius? 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