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Multiculturalism more acceptable in NZ than in Aus & Europe

A study carried published by the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research of Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand  in 2013 reveals that a significantly higher proportion agreed that, “It is a good thing for any society to be made up of different races, religions and cultures”, compared with similar  surveys conducted in in Australia and 15 European Union countries.

In the survey of over 2,000 households in New Zealand, conducted  89 per cent agreed with the statement “It is a good thing for any society to be made up of different races, religions and cultures”.

The findings of this study suggest that in some ways, New Zealand can be considered a psychologically multicultural society, but in others, it cannot.

When she was interviewed by  Mervin Singham at the Ethnica Conference in Christchurch last year Professor Colleen Ward, referring to the survey said.

“In terms of the principle I think we’re starting on firm ground in New Zealand. I think that diversity is appreciated here.”

“But it’s no good to say in principle ‘I appreciate diversity, it’s great to have it’ on one hand, and then on the other hand, ‘As long as it doesn’t mean I have to do anything to respond to it.”

“If you say ‘Diversity is great but I don’t want a synagogue, mosque or temple in my neighbourhood’, what does that mean?”

‘”All groups have to be able to accommodate difference in a reasonable fashion.”

“If I value it, I have to accommodate to a certain extent.”

This interview has been referred to in a recently posted blog on American Thinker which discusses the question “Can Muslims be multiculturalist?” i

The writer, a conservative American academic, Robert Klein Engler states “At its core, Islam does not allow for freedom of religion, yet this freedom would be considered one of the core principles of the multiculturalism we hear professed.”

Engler challenged the opinion expressed by Ward that  “…multiculturalism hasn’t failed in France, Germany and the UK. They’ve never had it. It’s never been tested.”

Source

Image: southaucklandblogger

 

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