Director of Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, Michel Wieviorka mentioned the policy of multiculturalism is one idea for managing cultural diversity to realize democracy. Democracy may not be realized without giving an appreciation of cultural diversity.
It was said by Wieviorka that multiculturalism means providing better recognition of the cultural differences in tribe, nation, or race. It also means providing universal rights of different groups. There is recognition of equality in law and public life as citizens.
"In principle, multiculturalism is the recognition of cultural difference and equality in humanity degree to ensure the welfare of society," he said on Monday (14/3) in Graduate Building of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
In a general lecture entitled Democracy and Cultural Diversity, the sociologist from Paris revealed that Canada is one example of a country that is considered successful in managing multiculturalism. Multiculturalism policy which was launched in 1971 by Canadian government not only supports the existence of pluralism but also forces the Canadian society to accept the differences.
"The policy is proven successful to settle down the conflict between English-spoken Canadians with French-spoken ones by making these two languages as official languages in Canada," the Director of the Centre for Sociological Analysis and Intervention (CADIS) explained.
Wieviorka added that with the multiculturalism policy, immigrants in Canada are also taken into account unlike in some other countries which are not prosperous and have conflict with indigenous people. "The immigrants are also encouraged to participate in community life in Canada," he said. Almost 200 thousand immigrants from various ethnic groups enter Canada each year. The arrival of immigrants is encouraged by Canadian society who is very open and tolerant to immigrants from anywhere. Immigrants do not face problems of latent immigrants, which is conflicts with the natives. "The conflict occurs because of a belief or identity that is forced to become another identity," he explained.