Community's Response
Xuan Trinh
Vietnamese/Chinese
How does cultural understanding affect someone’s self identity amongst a
community?
Cultural understanding affect someone’s identity massively especially with the Asian community. There are a lot of customs and unspoken rules that many people must follow, uneducated within their own customs effects how other people’s views and opinions on the individual. Asians usually view others based on status, education and personality traits. Not knowing one’s own customs and culture may cause a negative impact on themselves as they are seen uneducated. Things such as table manners and greeting are mostly taken serious as it display respect and understanding.
I personally think that cultural understanding is extremely important as it’s effects how a person acts within their own community and how other based their opinion on another individual.
How can we improve our intercultural awareness and communication in the city of
Melbourne?
Having schools teach about other cultures would help improve the culture awareness and understanding. Especially since Australia is multicultural it is important that everyone learns the basic information and background stories, this action may reduce unintentional acts of racism and disrespect. It would also make the community feel appreciated knowing that the individuals and their culture is valued. Australia is consistently changing but the tradition customs of a cultural usually remain the same, living together as a multicultural country means to respect other and to peaceful live in harmony. Creating a welcoming environment for everyone and every culture.
How important is it for the general population of Melbourne to be educated about the many cultures which reside here?
It is crucial for the general population of Melbourne to be educated with the many cultures that reside within Australia, especially since Australia is a multicultural place where many people are immigrants from different countries all over the world. In which is crucial for the general population to learn about other cultures as it display respect and culture value to others, it also reduces conflicts with other communities. Resulting in a welcoming place for other future immigrants.
What does intercultural understanding/awareness/communication mean to you?
To me, intercultural understanding, awareness and communication creates a warm and welcoming environment for everyone in the community. It makes me feels valued as an individual but happy that I am able to learn about other cultures and their customs while being respectful. The different communities and their stories creates a friendly and respectful environment, making more opportunities for others to share their experiences while connecting and relating to different individuals from different cultural communities. So personal I feel appreciated, happy and think intercultural understanding, awareness and communication is crucial for a peaceful and friendly space.
Maydan Lam
Vietnamese/Chinese
How does cultural understanding affect someone’s self identity amongst a
community?
Cultural understanding affects an individuals self identity amongst a community as an individual must feel welcome and accepted.Without the acceptance and understanding of others in the community a person identity may be hard to find and they may not feel comfortable in their environment. Having people around you who can both be respectful and understanding about your culture can make a person find their identity easily and enables them to truly belong in the community
How can we improve our intercultural awareness and communication in the city of
Melbourne?
We can improve our intercultural awareness and communication in Melbourne by celebrating different events from a variety of cultures and informing each other to embrace our background. Sharing ideas, traditions, food and events from different cultures allows the community to understand every person who is apart of it and enables the economy to grow into a better place for everyone.
How important is it for the general population of Melbourne to be educated about the many cultures which reside here?
It is very important for the general population of Melbourne to be educated about different cultures which reside in the community as it enables everyone to feel welcoming and respected. Citizens both young and old should be educated about different cultures as it prevents problems such as racism from arising. If racism occurs individuals may feel disrespected and unsafe in their homes, causing the economy to slowly diminish.
What does intercultural understanding/awareness/communication mean to you?
Intercultural understanding/awareness/communication means to me that others are accepting and putting an effort into educating them self about different cultures. It means that people are able to embrace their culture without feeling unsafe, threatened or disrespected because of it.
It means that others don’t judge people based on their appearance or background and attempt to understand the persons culture instead of seeing it only in their perspective.