The ‘f’ word juts out, condemning the professed shambolic state of multiculturalism in Britain today. But has it actually ‘failed’?
Do you agree or disagree with the Prime Minister’s recent critical ‘state multiculturalism’ speech and its sentiment for the need for a stronger sense of ‘shared identity’?
I suppose it depends on who you ask, what you believe and what your own personal experiences have been.
And it affects us all, because regardless of nationality or ethnicity, aren’t we all just looking for a place of acceptance and mutual respect?
What’s working
In the face of accusations of failure it’s equally important to acknowledge what’s working in the UK and Scotland today.
Scottish Refugee Week
The success of Refugee Week Scotland cannot be underestimated. The UK-wide festival of arts, cultural and educational events celebrates refugees’ contributions to the UK, and encourages better understanding between communities.
For some it is an eye-opening introduction to the life and experiences of people who share their cities and have sought sanctuary and safety in the UK. Reassuringly, Scotland’s week-long festival has grown in size and popularity year-on-year, boasting over 110 events in 2010.
Asylum seeking children’s success in schools
Asylum seeking children’s achievements in schools across the country further support successful integration of refugee families into local communities. This is particularly significant when considering the government’s possible plans to withdraw citizenship lessons from national curriculum of secondary schools in England.
Refugee community organisations and integration networks
Acknowledging that adapting to life in Scotland can be difficult, some Refugees in Scotland have formed their own community organisations. These groups support community cohesion and offer opportunities to meet people from their home countries, share experiences and problems, and find solutions.
And Integration Networks, consisting of local agencies, community groups and volunteers, plan and deliver services such as English classes and cultural programmes, and offer advice to asylum seekers and Refugees in their area.
There are still improvements to be made
This is not to imply that refugees’ integration in Scotland is not without issue, an increase of racist attacks and a general lack of awareness contributes to exclusion.
Findings from our recent report Becoming British Citizens? Experiences and Opinions of Refugees Living in Scotland suggests that although refugees want to belong and identify with Britain, they are being prevented from doing so. Results from the research show barriers to applying for citizenship including prohibitively high costs and lack of information.
A place to belong
Perhaps you wholeheartedly agree that multiculturalism has failed in Britain. Or perhaps like the Guardian’s writer Salma Yagoob, you feel that Cameron needs to return to his earlier philosophies; in 2007 he rejected talk of integration only being about immigrant communities and their responsibilities and duties, and indicated that people cannot be bullied into feeling British.
Either way, I think striving towards a society that doesn’t just ‘tolerate’ diversity but embraces it, allows it to flourish and intermix within the existing rich culture that ultimately defines a successful society.
