topic Re: Integration etc in Community Spirit

Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:29:22 GMT

I was wondering on another thread what culture/ assimilation/ integration means, especially in regards to refugees, actually means. The meaning probably differs from person to person so I was wondering what other's interpretation are. Just wondering.

Re: Integration etc

kopenhagen5 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:38:41 GMT

I think as a generalisation anyone planning to settle in another country, integration means immigrants learn the native language, behave in the manner of the native culture/laws to a certain degree and take on aspects of the native lifestyle.

Naturally this doesn't mean immigrants need to drop their native cultures.

How lucky we are to be able to experience more than 1 culture.

***********************

Santa, I didn't do it.

Re: Integration etc

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:56:16 GMT

australia is currently 8th (out of 38)

according to the 2015 mipex -

ranking particularly high in health

and education.

http://www.mipex.eu/australia

Re: Integration etc

lind9650 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 04:27:16 GMT

I came from a multicultural family and lived in several different countries in Europe before comming to Australia from Germany.

Before I left, my father told me; "You are going to a new country, you know little about. You will have to learn the language, their laws and customs and even get used to different foods. Join a group like CWA or a Mothers Club. Having young children, encourage them to make friends with neighbours children and in School. Don't ever expect anyone to change to your ways. You want a new life, make sure you change to fit in and are accepted as one of them."

I took my fathers words to heart and tried my best. To learn english was hard for me, because my first home here in 1958 was in St. Kilda where every shop I went to had german speaking ownwers or staff. When they realised that I was struggling with english, they did not help correct me but just spoke german to me.

My children did make friends whom I welcomed into our home. The first real english sentence I learned was; "What did she say?" The little friends asked my children when I spoke to them.

Now I live in a small country town with a large population of Italians. For all the 45 years I have been here, not one of the Italian women has ever joined a group, and some of them still can not hold a conversation in english. In their culture the men won't allow their women to mix company for fear they may get ideas that the husband is not always right. Cultural differences, but I am glad to see the younger generation don't take much notice of the oldies lifestyle.

Integration takes time, but a migrant has to be willing to integrate.

Erica

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 05:41:17 GMT

Growing up in a multi cultural area exposed me to a myriad of different nationalities from a very young age for which I will ever be grateful. My cultural experience was extensive which is probably why I find that term a bit confusing.

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 05:48:46 GMT

I remember that the kids picked up English easily but that it was harder for the adults and the elderly not at all.

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 05:49:54 GMT

Erica, your Dad was a very wise man.

Re: Integration etc

village_person — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:45:43 GMT

@lind9650 wrote:
I came from a multicultural family and lived in several different countries in Europe before comming to Australia from Germany.
Before I left, my father told me; "You are going to a new country, you know little about. You will have to learn the language, their laws and customs and even get used to different foods. Join a group like CWA or a Mothers Club. Having young children, encourage them to make friends with neighbours children and in School. Don't ever expect anyone to change to your ways. You want a new life, make sure you change to fit in and are accepted as one of them."

Erica

Your father was a sage. It would be nice if migrants visited the libraries in their coutries BEFORE they make the trip to Oz. They might give themselves a chance to reject our way of life and our country rather than arrive here and complain.

I once did a bit of shopping at Victoria's Basement in Sydney. There was a security guy checking bags on the way out of the shop. A German couple in front of me were a bit put off by this and the male German said something like "you don't do this in my country". The security guy said "I will remember that if ever I visit Germany". You have to adapt.

Re: Integration etc

icyfroth — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 22:41:19 GMT

Integration means that ALL schoolchildren should stand for the Australian Anthem when it's sung at assembly or in class.

Re: Integration etc

icyfroth — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 22:43:41 GMT

@village_person wrote:
@lind9650 wrote:
I came from a multicultural family and lived in several different countries in Europe before comming to Australia from Germany.
Before I left, my father told me; "You are going to a new country, you know little about. You will have to learn the language, their laws and customs and even get used to different foods. Join a group like CWA or a Mothers Club. Having young children, encourage them to make friends with neighbours children and in School. Don't ever expect anyone to change to your ways. You want a new life, make sure you change to fit in and are accepted as one of them."

Erica
Your father was a sage. It would be nice if migrants visited the libraries in their coutries BEFORE they make the trip to Oz. They might give themselves a chance to reject our way of life and our country rather than arrive here and complain.

I once did a bit of shopping at Victoria's Basement in Sydney. There was a security guy checking bags on the way out of the shop. A German couple in front of me were a bit put off by this and the male German said something like "you don't do this in my country". The security guy said "I will remember that if ever I visit Germany". You have to adapt.

When we visited the Reichstag in Berlin a few years ago you had to undergo a security check similar to the one at airports. At the museum too, where Nefertiti was at the time.

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:48:24 GMT

Icy, wasn't that the school principle's decision? Why just students? Shouldn't everyone stand for the national anthem?

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:56:10 GMT

For me, as long as the law is adhered to and people live peacefully, it doesn't matter what race, religion or creed they may be.

Re: Integration etc

icyfroth — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:27:37 GMT

@bluecat*riverdancing wrote:
Icy, wasn't that the school principle's decision? Why just students? Shouldn't everyone stand for the national anthem?

Yes. It was the Principals decision on consideration for the childrens religious month of mourning.

Yes everyone should stand for the National Anthem.

Re: Integration etc

icyfroth — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:30:46 GMT

@bluecat*riverdancing wrote:
For me, as long as the law is adhered to and people live peacefully, it doesn't matter what race, religion or creed they may be.

For most of us too, Blue.

Unfortunately, we are so divided on religion, race, sexual orientation, politics, that living peacefully together is not happening. You just have to see how divided this microcosm of a forum is.

Re: Integration etc

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:49:36 GMT

@icyfroth wrote:
@bluecat*riverdancing wrote:
For me, as long as the law is adhered to and people live peacefully, it doesn't matter what race, religion or creed they may be.
For most of us too, Blue.

Unfortunately, we are so divided on religion, race, sexual orientation, politics, that living peacefully together is not happening. You just have to see how divided this microcosm of a forum is.

good example.

start a topic about islam or christianity

(or any of the above) and watch what

happens.

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:58:45 GMT

Jails are full of people from "desired" ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Small online forums are just what you say, They are microcosms and really don't give a true representation of the wider population. .

Re: Integration etc

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:16:08 GMT

except its not just small online forums.

you will find the same types of conflicts

on the more popular public forums/social

media.

there are approx 14mln facebook users

in australia.

Re: Integration etc

icyfroth — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:26:30 GMT

@bluecat*riverdancing wrote:
Jails are full of people from "desired" ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Small online forums are just what you say, They are microcosms and really don't give a true representation of the wider population. .

What do mean by "desired" ethnic and religious backgrounds?

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:08:17 GMT

Yes, and for example, those that I am with on FB number in the area of 14,000+ and the majority are of the same mindset as myself. On FB you can be selective and is different to here in so many ways that I don't know how comparable it actually is.

Re: Integration etc

bluecat*dancing — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:20:59 GMT

I probably do not fit the integration criteria and my family has been here for at least 200 years. lol.