Renovating multiculturalism to foster interculturalism: A systemic shift in policy and perspective
Original framing: “Grattan on Friday: Now’s the time to renovate multiculturalism, elevating ‘interculturalism’” — bing news
Non-Western societies often integrate multiple cultural identities through social and religious practices, offering alternative models to the Western policy-centric approach. These systems emphasize lived interculturalism rather than policy-driven integration, suggesting a need for more flexible and culturally grounded frameworks.
To move from multiculturalism to interculturalism requires a systemic rethinking of how cultural diversity is valued and integrated into society.
This involves not only policy reform but also a shift in cultural and institutional practices that have historically marginalized non-dominant voices. Indigenous and minority perspectives offer alternative models of coexistence that challenge assimilationist frameworks, while scientific evidence supports the benefits of intercultural engagement. By incorporating these insights into education, media, and governance, societies can build more inclusive and resilient intercultural frameworks. The trickster element in this discourse reminds us to question the assumptions behind current multicultural policies and embrace the disruptive potential of interculturalism as a dynamic, evolving process.