Vojvodina
and Policies of Multiculturalism: Experiences and Prospects
Novi Sad, May 30, 2008
19. August 2008, HCHRS
Even before the concept of multiculturalism was
formally introduced in Serbia, authorities started belittling it,
concluded the participants in the fourth brainstorming session in the
series that was realized under the project "Fostering Vojvodina's
Multiethnic Identity."
Deliberating Vojvodina's experiences, the participants
indicated the stumbling blocs both in the way of affirmation of
multiculturalism and implementation of the policy of multiculturalism -
the identity crisis of the majority nation, nationalism as the ideology
that still dominates the society, unfinished state, deeply rooted legacy
of 1990s, treatment of minorities as "a security issue," and absence of
well-thought-out and coherent minority policies.
The discussion pinpointed unfavorable social
atmosphere in which minorities are mostly perceived as "a burden that
costs the state too much." Besides, inadequately regulated political,
legislative, institutional and legal spheres constantly frustrate not
only minority communities but also all those taking that their cultural
and ethnic differences are the values to be upheld. According to the
participants, the great majority of problems in this domain is being
generated by the central governance and "exported" to Vojvodina.
So far, the activities pursued by provincial
authorities have been directed towards: establishment of a legal and
institutional frame that would more efficiently safeguard different
cultures; and, since 2005, strong affirmation of multiculturalism and
tolerance. This project initiated by the institutions in the province
itself was unique in Europe - unique by the character the public
governance attributed to it, by the number of people involved and by the
budget set aside for its implementation. And yet, despite all efforts
and impressive turnout of students, the project was not included in
regular curricula and educational activities. For, officials in charge
of developing school curricula showed no understanding whatsoever for
it.
In the participants' view, any serious discussion of
multiculturalism should reflect various angles. In this context, it is
necessary to analyze regular curricula so as to determine whether
educational policies encourage young people to recognize "other
cultures" or - more or less indirectly - suggest distancing from them
and entrenchment in "one's own identity." Unlike formal presentation of
other cultures - that usually boils down to facts and historical
overviews, and hardly contributes to a change in "value system" - the
approach that fosters local heritage is by far more productive. Such an
approach has the capacity to relativize discrediting stereotypes and
relax the atmosphere of mutual accusations.
The participants underlined that Kosovo's independence
/potentially/ supports the arguments that equalize minorities with
secessionism, and that the policy of overemphasizing identities could
turn into a factor of instability. Whenever some minority communities
choose "self-isolation" the reasons behind their options should be
thoroughly examined. Ghettoization, said the participants, has never
been a matter of free choice but a consequence of exclusory policies.
The same as the ethnic majority minorities have never been homogeneous
communities. Borders do not only divide different cultures but also the
same ones (which is probably best mirrored in the case of refugees)
given that individuals have been adopting different patterns and value
system - all of that makes multiculturalism an extremely complex
concept.
In a politically sharply divided society that moves
slowly towards the EU and brims with empty political rhetoric, such as
the Serbian society, multiculturalism is practically a manner of
speaking rather than a consequent policy.
The participants agreed on the following conclusions
and recommendations:
- Affirmation of the policy of multiculturalism necessitates
well-thought-off and coordinated action by various factors rather than
ad hoc solutions;
- The focus should be on inter-cultural ties that have contributed to
"one's own" culture, which, for its part, should be examined for the
elements of "foreign," i.e. other culture;
- Regular school curricula should be analyzed and constant pressure on
public authorities should be exerted with a view to more efficient
action vis-a-vis multiculturalism;
- The topics that influence "value-oriented"
affiliations of young people should be incorporated into regular school
curricula;
- Multilingualism should be more encouraged in
Vojvodina;
- An institute for interethnic relations should be set
up.
The brainstorming session was covered by the following
media outlets: RTV Vojvodina, Independent Production Group "Playground,"
Magyar Szo daily (in Hungarian), Hlas Lludu daily (in Slovakian) and
Libertatea newspaper (in Rumanian).
The project "Fostering Vojvodina's Multiethnic
Identity" is being realized with the assistance of the European Union
within the EuropeAid program. |