The Importance Of Multiculturalism In Australia

Today in Australia, more than 200 languages are spoken, and as much as one fourth of the citizens were born overseas (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006&2016). The Australian government believes such cultural diversity has been the feature of Australian society and could be the strength of the nation especially in this rapidly globalizing era. Based on this idea, the government implements multiculturalism to bring social, cultural and economic benefits for all Australians and to achieve the cohesion and harmony of the society. Multiculturalism stipulates that all citizens have equal rights and responsibilities and ensures that each individual can contribute to the society while maintaining their cultural identity with respect (Australian

On the day, the government encourages people to wear the symbol color, orange, and encourage them to spread the notion of inclusiveness by measures of Twitter and Facebook, or to have the opportunity to remind the importance of cultural diversity at home or work. Various events such as morning tea, concerts, traditional costume wearing, or school assemblies are held in each local community (Time and Date AS, n.d. & Australian Government Department of Social Services,

Considering the intention lied behind the employment of multiculturalism policy, it could be safely said that the government do not only look at humane aspects like guaranteeing the basic human rights, or respecting minorities’ culture but also practical reasons: economic benefits, safety or stability in community, more broadly speaking, in the nation. In a sense, multiculturalism can be interpreted as a strategy of the government to adopt to the rapidly changing conditions and to maintain its position at an advantageous place. In 1973, Australia abandoned White Australia Policy, which had lasted almost a hundred years, and introduced instead quite opposite policy, “multiculturalism” (Henry, N. & Kurzak, K., 2013). One of the triggers of this quick and bold change was surely the decision that Australia would have to strengthen the tie with Asian countries beside the U.K., taking into account the current situation that the U.K. entered the EU while the Asian countries increased its economic power. Similarly, as the legislation of NAP carried out in reaction to the increasing terrorism attacks demonstrated, the Multiculturalism policy itself seems to be gradually and slightly changing around the principle, in accordance with