Dundee’s Al-Maktoum Institute yesterday launched a series of debates about the challenges of multiculturalism.
The event was organised by the Institute’s Centre for Research on Multiculturalism, Islam and Muslims in Scotland, and involved participants from the Institute and also from the Dundee City Council Social Work Department, fire and rescue service, education, business, politics, health, and other areas of the wider Dundee community.
In what was a lively and far-reaching discussion, the debate looked at a number of issues focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by living in a multicultural society. This included the need for mutual respect and understanding across communities, the worries about isolation and lack of tolerance, and the need for education at all levels of society to enable the successful development of multiculturalism in Scotland.
The event will be followed by a similar debate next month, and a major international academic conference to be held at Al-Maktoum Institute in April.
Professor Malory Nye, Director of the Centre for Research on Multiculturalism, Islam and Muslims in Scotland said: “These workshops have been organised in the wake of many recent events, including the tragedy of the July 7th bombings in London, calls by politicians and leaders for a rethinking of the concepts of multiculturalism, and ongoing debates about issues of religious diversity, integration, mutual respect and cooperation. We are extremely happy that this first debate was so successful – not only did we have an excellent group of participants, but the debate was open and frank and addressed many of the challenges of our century. The questions of multiculturalism are on our televisions every day of the week, and it is very important for Al-Maktoum Institute to take a lead in promoting and developing our understanding of where we are at the moment and where we might be going. It is the responsibility of a higher education institution such as ours to lead this debate and to be engaging with the wider community.The Centre has internationally recognised expertise in this area and is working closely with a number of public bodies to spread awareness of how to promote a better knowledge and understanding of multiculturalism and cultural diversity.
“Last year saw the presentation of the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Awards for Multiculturalism and Al-Maktoum Institute is keen to see academic research and debate on multiculturalism are developed alongside our work with communities.”
Future workshops will look at topics including ‘diversity, integration and assimilation’ and ‘multiculturalism, integration and education’. For further information on the Workshop go to our website – www.almi.abdn.ac.uk
