Chapter 7.1, How can we respond to socio-cultural diversity Flashcards
1
Q
Responses of citizens: Individuals
A
- Bonds between individuals can be weakened or broken when they are insensitive, hurtful or disrespectful with respects to socio-cultural differences.
- In 2019, a social media influencer’s post calling two men wearing turbans “huge obstructions” to her view at the Singapore Grand Prix went viral, some among the Sikh community felt uncomfortable.
- The President of the Young Sikh Association (YSA) invited her to an informal tour to learn more about their traditions.
- During the tour, the influencer was introduced to the Sikh religion and culture. She also participated in sewa, an act of service, by trying her hand at making chapati in the community kitchen.
- The influencer reflected and agreed that the video was insensitive and had caused a lot of distress to the Sikh community and so she decided to take up the YSA’s offer to learn more.
- This shows that individuals can respond constructively to promote understanding of cultural differences and strengthen social cohesion
2
Q
Responses of citizens: Community groups
A
- Citizens with common interests can organise themselves into formal or informal community groups to contribute towards specific needs or issues in society.
- For example, “Welcome in My Backyard” (WIMBY) is a ground-up and youth-led campaign. WIMBY raises awareness about the lives of migrant workers and promotes interactions between migrant workers and the local community. During the migrants’ relocation from dormitories to HDB estates, volunteers of WIMBY engaged Singaporeans to write notes to welcome migrant workers into their neigbourhoods. These notes were translated into the native languages of the migrant workers to convey Singaporeans’ appreciation for their contributions in Singapore. They also organised a “an afternoon out” event in which Bukit Batok residents bonded with migrant workers living in Jalan Jurong Kechil over games and conversations.
- It takes a collective effort to maintain harmonious interactions in a diverse society.
- The initiatives and proactive responses of individuals and community groups help shape the attitudes and actions of the general public.
- They also helped to develop deeper understanding between different socio-cultural groups and a spirit of mutual accommodation and trust.
3
Q
Assimilation Policies in France
A
- In countries that adopt assimilationist policies, immigrants are expected to adopt the beliefs and practices of the majority group in the host country. Over time, the identities of the assimilated group are expected to become identical to those of the majority group.
- France adopts the principle of laicite, which means state secularism. This means that there is clear separation of religious affairs from governance and no religion is favoured over another.
- This principle was formalized by law in 1905. Article 1 of the French 1958 French Constitution assures equality before the law for all citizens, regardless of origin, race or religion.
- Thus, every French citizens puts aside their connections to race, ethnicity and religion.
- They all acknowledge the existence of diverse cultural identities but believe that the French national identity should be prioritised over other identities.
- This then shapes a strong French identity.
4
Q
Education in France
A
- All children in France, regardless of their citizenship status, are required to attend school until the age of 16.
- Adaptation classes are introduced to children of immigrants to help them improve their French so that they can be assimilated into French schools.
- In the French classroom, there is no discussion about religion except in History, Literature, Philosophy and Art classes.
- In 2015, France launched a new course in moral and civic education to promote the values of its national motto, as well as justice, mutual respect and non-discrimination.
- New immigrants and French citizens will share a common set of French values.
- It assimilates all students to increase understanding and achieve social cohesion.
5
Q
Employment in France
A
- The work environment is another avenue to ensure immigrants gradually assimilate into French society.
- The French government introduced the Diversity Charter in 2004 to raise the employers’ awareness of recruiting employees from diverse backgrounds.
- The Charter encourages companies to be inclusive and carry out tangible actions to promote diversity at the workplace.
- Harmony was then achieved as it will allow greater diversity to flourish in the workplace, which could support the assimilation of immigrants into the French society.
- However, in 2019, about 13.1% of immigrant workers were unemployed as compared to 7.8% of French natives.
- This was due to discrimination in the hiring practices of companies, despite an emphasis against discrimination in the labour laws.
6
Q
Naturalisation In France
A
- Naturalization programmes help to immigrants to develop basic knowledge about life in France and what being a French national means.
- Immigrants seeking citizenship through naturalization attend a 4-day civic training course in French principles, values and practical aspects of life in French society.
- Up to 600 hours of free languages courses are also offered to help immigrants master French in their daily lives.
- Immigrants will also need to demonstrate knowledge of the history and culture of France, French language proficiency and pass a French cultural test to be eligible for French nationality.
- These immigrants will be able to interact with other French citizens.
- They will then be able to adopt French attitudes and beliefs that will strengthen their French identity
7
Q
Tensions arising from assimilationist policies in France
A
- The inflow of immigrants resulted in France becoming increasingly diverse.
- France adopted assimilationist policies to emphasize the French national identity and the principle of state secularism.
- People are expected to observe their religious beliefs and ethnic customs in private.
- In 2004, France introduced a law that banned the wearing of clearly visible religious attire and symbols in public schools.
- This was to maintain religious neutrality in French public schools.
- Muslim students were not allowed to wear religious headscarves and Jewish students were not allowed to wear kippahs (skullcaps) for example.
- These different responses can lead to tensions among different socio-cultural groups in French society.
- On one hand, there is the desire to uphold the French national identity, which some French people believe is threatened when immigrants continue to display their religious affiliations or identities.
- On the other hand, there is also a need to recognise the role of culture and religion in the identities of immigrants and to respect their right to practice their religion.
8
Q
Integration policies in SG
A
- In countries that adopt integration policies, minority groups and immigrants retain their unique identities while forging common ground with the majority group in host country.
- Singapore adopts the integration approach to manage socio-cultural diversity.
- The Singapore identity is anchored in the shared values of upholding law and order, respecting racial and religious harmony, and a commitment to working together for a better future.
- Differences in practices, customs and traditions of the different groups are recognized and respected.
- Equality is promoted without granting special rights to any racial, ethnic or religious groups.
9
Q
Bilingual Policy in SG
A
- The policy of bilingualism was introduced in schools in 1966.
- Students are expected to learn English and one of the official Mother Tongue (MTLs).
- Learning English has given the different ethnic groups a common language to communicate with one another. It also ensures that no one has an advantage over others. This helps to foster a sense of belonging and promote better integration across different ethnic groups.
- Learning Mother Tongue also allows us to preserve our cultural identity and heritage. This improves rootedness and sense of identity.
10
Q
Community Support in SG
A
- The National Integration Council launched the Community Integration Fund (CIF) in 2009 to support organizations in implementing projects to encourage interactions between Singaporeans, immigrants and foreigners so that they can deepen mutual understanding, build relationships and develop stronger connections to Singapore.
- At the grassroots level, community events and activities are organized by People’s Association.
- These included house visits, block parties and festive celebrations so that new Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can get to know their neighbourhood better and make new friends in the community.
- These initiatives achieve meaningful interactions between Singaporean citizens and immigrants.
- It provides opportunities for them to experience the different ethnic cultures and religions in Singapore and learn about the other aspects of living here.
- Singaporeans can also befriend and reach out to foreigners, so that they can learn more about our local history, culture and ways of life to integrate into Singapore society.
11
Q
Community Support in SG
A
- The National Integration Council launched the Community Integration Fund (CIF) in 2009 to support organizations in implementing projects to encourage interactions between Singaporeans, immigrants and foreigners so that they can deepen mutual understanding, build relationships and develop stronger connections to Singapore.
- At the grassroots level, community events and activities are organized by People’s Association.
- These included house visits, block parties and festive celebrations so that new Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can get to know their neighbourhood better and make new friends in the community.
- These initiatives achieve meaningful interactions between Singaporean citizens and immigrants.
- It provides opportunities for them to experience the different ethnic cultures and religions in Singapore and learn about the other aspects of living here.
- Singaporeans can also befriend and reach out to foreigners, so that they can learn more about our local history, culture and ways of life to integrate into Singapore society.
12
Q
Naturalisation Initiatives in SG
A
- Upon receiving in-principle approval for Singapore citizenship, new Singapore citizens go through a compulsory programme called the Singapore Citizenship Journey.
- This is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), the People’s Association (PA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).
- New citizens learn about Singapore’ history and development. They are given the opportunity to interact meaningfully with their local community. They receive their Singapore citizenship certificates after completing the propgramme.
- These initiatives achieve meaningful interactions between Singaporean citizens and immigrants.
- The new Singapore citizens also have a deepened understanding of the Singaporean identity and foster social cohesion.
13
Q
Common experiences In SG
A
- Common experiences provide opportunities for immigrants and locals to interact with one another.
- Common experiences are created through National Service (NS). While the primary purpose of NS is defence and security, it also plays a key role in fostering greater cohesiveness in society. In serving to defend Singapore, NS brings people from diverse racial, religious, language and educational backgrounds to train and live together. An example is Mr Jonathan Gallery, a Singapore PR who served NS as he sees Singapore as his home.
- Through this common experience, they learn to develop a sense of collective interest and understanding.
- This common life shaping experience helps to strengthen the relationships between them and create a strong Singapore national identity.
14
Q
Tensions arising from integration policies in SG
A
- Tensions between locals and immigrants still exist in Singapore.
- This is because of the perceived erosion of the Singaporean identity and the difference in norms and values of immigrants.
- For example, a 2021 survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), only 48.4% believed that immigration strengthens cultural diversity in Singapore and 37.8% of Singaporeans believed that immigration leads to social conflict in Singapore.
- For integration to work, both Singaporeans and immigrants need to play their part in responding to differences with mutual respect and accommodation within various spheres of influence.
- Mutually deepening our understanding of each other’s cultures can help us embrace our differences and expand the common space to build shared values.
- Meaningful and harmonious interactions within a socio-culturally diverse society will enable Singapore to continually harness diversity as a strength.
