Tag: multiculturalism

Esin Sultan Oğuz

COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITY

Esin Sultan Oğuz writes: “I’m working on developing multicultural library and information services for the British immigrants in Didim (-a sea side town in Turkey). For this purpose, between July and November I’ll carry on my post phd study in UCL Department of Information Management.

If there is anyone who is interested in this subject I also want to say in the near future I want to develop an EU project on this subject. Also I’m open for joint researches and projects as well.

The project description follows:

Developing Multicultural Library and Information Services for the Foreign Population in Turkey: A Project Addressed to European Immigrants in Didim

In recent years, there has been an increase in immigration to Turkey, mostly from Europe. Although the number of immigrants to Turkey is undeniably on the rise, there is no short or long term plan to integrate a multicultural library and information services into immigrant communities, thus necessitating the current study. Moreover, the international literature is replete with studies focusing on the integration of minorities including Muslim and Turkish populations into the European library system. However, research on the converse (integrating European populations into the Turkish library system) is virtually non-existent. The latter is especially important given the growing sensitivity with respect to the four cornerstones of multiculturalism—equality, tolerance, understanding and diversity. The need for an overhaul of the Turkish library system with the aim of making it more immigrant-friendly can no longer be overlooked given the immigrant ratio in the country. As Rasmussen and Kolarik have stated, the notion of equality implies equal access to resources and services available in the community. As it stands right now, foreigners in Turkey are at a huge disadvantage with respect to equal access to resources.

The goal of this project is to assist in the development of mutual understanding and tolerance among the various ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups in Turkey by establishing a framework for a multicultural library. Clearly, such a library would be conducive to cross-cultural exchange as it would serve as a locale where both immigrants, and Turks, could share their traditions, learn more about one another, and exchange experiences. Turkish multicultural libraries could also sponsor leisure activities, continuing education courses, and provide immigrants with access to useful legal information (the latter is especially important since there are no embassies and consulates outside of Ankara and Istanbul).

Didim, a small town located in southern Turkey near Aydin, has been selected as the location for this study due to its large European (specifically British) population. The number of immigrants in Didim has consistently risen since 2000, reaching a total of approximately 4000 individuals by 2011.”

Esin Sultan Oğuz, PhD.
Hacettepe University
Department of Information Management
Ankara, Turkey
http://www.esinsultan.info

Multiculturalism as a solution, not a problem

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently made headlines when she pronounced multiculturalism in Germany a failure. Shortly before, a Globe and Mail editorial argued that Canadians should eradicate “multiculturalism” from their vocabulary and refocus on “citizenship.” Multiculturalism isn’t just out of style, these statements suggest – it’s dangerous for building unity in increasingly diverse societies.

Unfortunately, both analyses are dead wrong.

Social scientists can measure multiculturalism in a given society by examining the number and content of public policies and government pronouncements around cultural recognition and accommodation. Such indices show that Germany is not, and has never been, a multicultural society.

Multiculturalism can’t have failed in Germany because it was never tried. Turkish guest workers and other immigrants were never welcomed as future citizens – only as temporary labour. If Germans are now concerned about the consequences, the blame certainly doesn’t lie with multiculturalism.

These indices also group countries such as France and Norway with Germany as least multicultural, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States as moderately multicultural, and Australia and Canada as most multicultural.

Have Canada’s past practices and policies hurt attempts to forge common citizenship out of diversity?

Absolutely not.”

For further details, see the original article by Irene Bloemraad in the Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail.