Recommendations
Panel 3: Asian & Western Values
Objectives:
To define and examine the concept of Asian values .
To explore the similarities and differences between Asian and Western Values.
To explore the contemporary views of young Asians of their society today, as it relates to the Asian and Western values discussion
To provide the background context for the current socio- political issues in the region such as human rights and trade and child labour issues.To organise cultural evenings in school, with parents invited, to hear Asian students speak to their Canadian peers; and to organize a multicultural festival representing many different cultural and racial groups, which could have a positive impact on the local community.
To recognize that culture is dynamic and changing. The definition of culture should not be restricted to the characteristics and traits of the majority. Furthermore, one should not address the issue of Asian and Western values but instead what the individual values. Such an attitude would enable people to respect each other’s differences and unique traits.
To create a community in the schools where young people of different cultural backgrounds can share, enjoy, and learn from one another, through cultural festivals, multicultural awareness groups, and international exchanges.
To encourage multinational companies, such as McDonalds, to sponsor intiatives such as an employee exchange program among different countries. The exchange employees could work in the company abroad and live with a host family.
To create a school activity which would allow a better understanding of the history and evolution of the diverse Asian societies. This could be done using several short television advertisements. (e.g. Heritage Minutes by CRB Foundation).
To create a round table discussion to express and examine values and views on any given topic, keeping in mind that mutual respect is required.
To guide students toward recognition and respect of different values; as well as the realization that there are universal values and ways in which different cultures interpret them.
To commit to understanding Asian values and traditions which may be different from our own.
To promote communication through the Internet; to begin a letter-writing campaign to encourage our Government to support human rights efforts in the Asia-Pacific region; and encourage relations between Canadians and Asians through penpals, international exchanges and cultural education.
To keep an open mind, observe and learn from our mistakes.
To teach, beginning at an early age, that Asian and Western values are similar and lead to a common goal.
To hold open discussions in which values can be shared. This gives participating members the opportunity to compare and contrast a variety of different values, providing greater understanding of individual and group values, and perhaps the discovery that many values are similar.
To understand and experience a culture and its values first hand by travelling and living abroad.
To urge Governments to implement elective courses in high schools, based on world philosophy/sociology.
To set up an exchange program t allow students to and from Asia for short periods of time, in order to learn more about other cultures; to have more presentations from Asians who grew up there to help us understand more about their countries; and to have a "Culture Day" during Winter Carnival. This will allow us to learn about the customs of Asian countries, including dress.
To respect and treat Asians visiting Canada as we treat Candians; respect those things we understand about their culture. Also, to learn more about Asian countries by studying each Asian country one week at a time, so as to make Asians feel at home in Canada.
To respect and treat Asians visiting Canada as one would Canadians. If one know a little about their culture, respect those areas. To learn a little about many of the Asian countries, so as to make Asians feel at home when in Canada studying each Asian country one week at a time.
To accept people for themselves. People with similar values are drawn together whereas people with different values tend to get into conflicts.
To take one or two courses in Tai-Chi to experience the grace and power behind these precise movements.
To include elderly persons in school programs because of their experience. Once a month an elderly person from a different culture could come in and share his or her life experiences. Canadians should try to emulate Asian communities who tend to value and respect the opinions of the elderly.
To treat others the way you would like them to treat you. No matter where you are from, the general values in life are the same.
To be open minded about people's differences; to learn and accept their values and culture because there is no such thing as a wrong way or a right way; and to meet in the middle and compromise, using education along with understanding as the key steps to bridge the gaps between Asian values and Western values.
To learn about others by exploring the communities around us, not just relying on textbooks in classrooms.
To respect people with different backgrounds, cultural values and learn to compromise with each other.
To encourage more people from Asia to come and "experience Canada", by producing more videos in which Asian tourists are interviewed.
To have more conferences like Asia Connects, and include videoconferencing sites in different parts of Asia. Also, to organise a welcoming committee, mentoring program, and buddy system in schools for new students.
To talk to others about family relations and cultural values in the Asian community and hold workshops.
© 1997 - TG Magazine / The Students Commission
© 1997 le magazine TG / la Commission des Ètudiants