Document 6:

Educate migrants about secular democracy

The Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy makes proposals on addressing host attitudes and citizen education which is very much in line with proposals from the Centre for Citizenship Education says Raewyn Stone, Project Chair of the Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy.

Central and local government politicians have a crucial role to play as role models a setting a climate of acceptance and celebration of diversity she said to the citizenship education networking function in Wellington on 22 August, 2005.

Raewyn Stone, Acting Manager, Community Development, Manukau City Council said local government has a key role to play in supporting diversity and providing the social infrastructure that helps "connect" people at the local level.

She said:

o Settlement is a two-way process requiring respect, acceptance and adaptation by both migrants and host communities

o The attitudes of host communities can be a major barrier to successful settlement

o New Zealanders need to not just "tolerate" difference and diversity but embrace and accept it as a strength

o Many migrants face particular challenges in adapting to a multi-cultural, secular democracy e.g. role and status of women; status and rights of disabled people; of gays.

o We need an open debate about national identity and what are the defining features and "bottom lines' of being a "kiwi".

The Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy should be complete sometime in October she said.

Find out more
Raewyn Stone
Acting Manager, Community Development
Manukau City Council
262 8900 ext 8936
mobile 027 464 2919

Updated 24 August 2005