WHAT IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY?
Cultural Diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures. The phrase "Cultural Diversity" is also sometimes used to mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole. It is based on the idea that cultural identities should not be discarded or ignored, but rather maintained and valued.
Culture is a strong part of people's lives. It influences their views, their values, their humor, their hopes, their loyalties, and their worries and fears.
Societies around the globe differed markedly from each other, and many of these differences persist to this day. The more obvious cultural differences that exist between people from different countries such as language, mode of dressing, traditions and religion, influence how each society has been organized in their shared conception of morality and the ways they deal with their environment.
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Eight (8) secondary school teachers from all over the world (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Ghana) participate in the International Leaders in Education Program 2014, a program funded by the US Department of State and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board.
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Exploring culture leads to the understanding that no matter how diverse our culture has become, there are still points of commonalities amongst us. We are all human beings. We all love our family deeply, want to learn and gain more knowledge, have hopes and dreams, and have experienced pain and fear.
Importance of Understanding Cultural Diversity
• If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation. There is always power in numbers.
• Each cultural group has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from. A wide range of ideas, custom and wisdom are needed to solve problems and enrich community life.
• Understanding cultures will help us overcome and prevent racial and ethnic divisions. Racial and ethnic divisions result in misunderstandings, loss of opportunities, and sometimes violence. Racial and ethnic conflicts drain communities of financial and human resources; they distract cultural groups from resolving the key issues they have in common.
• An appreciation of cultural diversity goes hand-in-hand with a just and equitable society.
• If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation. There is always power in numbers.
• Each cultural group has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from. A wide range of ideas, custom and wisdom are needed to solve problems and enrich community life.
• Understanding cultures will help us overcome and prevent racial and ethnic divisions. Racial and ethnic divisions result in misunderstandings, loss of opportunities, and sometimes violence. Racial and ethnic conflicts drain communities of financial and human resources; they distract cultural groups from resolving the key issues they have in common.
• An appreciation of cultural diversity goes hand-in-hand with a just and equitable society.
If we do not learn about the influences that cultural groups have had on our mainstream history and culture, we are all missing out on an accurate view of our society and our communities.