Australia is one of the most religiously, culturally and linguistically diverse nations in the world. Overall Australians are open-minded, accepting, welcoming and support our cultural diversity.
There are some who point to overseas conflicts, isolated violence on our streets and individuals demanding special privileges based on their religion as proof that multiculturalism does not work.
I disagree with this assessment.
Extremist views exist, to some extent, within all cultures and societies and is created by a range of influences, including preconceived beliefs, fear of change, personal gain or as a product of ignorance.
Radical views do not simply occur because Australia has embraced multiculturalism and is a diverse society. These views can also exist in nations that have attempted to suppress diversity and not implement policies of acceptance.
This is where we have been very successful in Victoria where our unique multicultural policy, that incorporates citizenship, manages and utilises our cultural diversity and challenges such views.
It was regrettable to see the recent riots in Sydney where certain individuals decided to push their own cause by hiding behind their faith.
These individuals have done their community and religion a disservice.
Any individual or group of individuals who misuse a faith for violent purposes should be condemned.
Religious beliefs do not have an ugly side, but some people do.
It is our responsibility not to allow the actions of a few to tarnish the whole community.
In my opinion there are two ways in which individuals view their own culture.
We all have our own ‘rigid’ culture, depending on our birth place, our family and our heritage. It is the culture that we have inherited and that we try, in most cases, to preserve and pass on to the next generation.
This culture is seen as precious and worth preserving. We are told, sometimes for self-serving motives, that we must not alter or change this culture because it depicts who we are. This may lead to extreme forms of nationalism and separatism that does not accept our common core values.
The ‘flexible’ culture is one that has evolved as a result of one’s natural, social and economic environment. It is dynamic, constantly changing and is borne from people interacting with one another.
When people of different cultures exist in the same environment over a period of time their culture will evolve, ensuring that they are able to live with others in a peaceful and harmonious way.
In the Australian context, people and communities adapt their cultures within an overall inclusive culture, one that unifies us by our commitment to our nation and its democratic institutions, laws, values and a ‘fair go’ for all.
Australian citizenship therefore is the basis on which to build a strong and unified society, where individuals learn from each other and together help forge a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Citizenship binds all Victorians in a shared commitment to each other as part of a broad community. Citizenship and its underlying mutual obligations of rights and responsibilities, supports the cultural and linguistic diversity of Victoria.
That is why I recently launched the Victorian Government’s Vision for Citizenship in a Multicultural Victoria, which highlights the role of citizenship as one of the pillars of a successful multicultural society.
A strong multicultural policy which is understood and accepted can be a means to diminish unacceptable requests and separatism. It can create the road map on how we can build on the strengths of having a diverse society.
The real threat to our society is not our diversity, but the inflexible and rigid traits of the few who wrongly use race and religion as a weapon for personal advancement or racial division.
* Nicholas Kotsiras is the Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.