Conversations about multiculturalism

The Centre works publicly to encourage robust discussion about multiculturalism around the world, and how it operates in New Zealand’s bicultural environment.

Colleen Ward & Mervin Singham
Much of the current debate about the risks and benefits of multiculturalism arises from disagreements about what multiculturalism actually means.

Influenced by John Berry's work on multiculturalism in Canada, the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research sees multiculturalism as occurring when three things are in operation:

  1. Societies are culturally diverse (a multicultural population)
  2. Diversity is viewed in positive terms and evaluated as an asset (a multicultural ideology)
  3. Diversity is managed in a way that encourages:
  • Maintenance of traditional cultures
  • Fair and equitable participation in society for all groups - multicultural policies and practices.

CACR works publically to encourage robust discussion about multiculturalism around the world, and how it operates in New Zealand's bicultural environment.

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