There are many ways to embrace cultural diversity in schools, but we need to look beyond 'visible' diversity
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Loading... - Fiona Walsh
- 22 Mar 2023
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Australian schools have long been at the forefront of fostering a sense of belonging for all.
Today, it's no longer uncommon to see schools featuring "diversity" as a school value, proudly presenting statistics about their multicultural make-up, and incorporating opportunities to explore cultural diversity within Australia and globally in the curriculum.
For the generation that went through schooling before the turn of the century as I did, to see how schools handle cultural diversity today should bring much optimism, or at least a sense of relief.
However, we continue to see cultural diversity only as something we celebrate and teach at a surface level, rather than something that is worthy of embedding into the school's DNA and the way we foster a sense of collective belonging.
This is where the teaching of cultural diversity seems to fall short.
Here are three ways we can work towards ensuring everyone belongs every day, and not just during special occasions, such as Harmony Week.
Embrace the "invisible" layers of cultures
At the surface level, cultures can be distinguished by many "visible" things, such as food, festivals, fashion, music, holidays and so on.
But these visible cultural similarities and differences have roots in many "invisible" layers of culture, such as beliefs, values, approaches, attitudes and perspectives. Read More…
