Latest news with #culturaldiversity
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
What binds us together as Australians?
The Prime Minister says our cultural diversity is a strength and calls for "progressive patriotism". But global turmoil is making it's way to our shores in the form of demonstrations and violence on our streets. What does the future hold for the ties that bind us together? And what IS progressive patriotism anyway? GUESTS: Prof, the Rev Peter Kurti, Director, Culture, Prosperity & Civil Society program, Centre for Independent Studies. His recent paper is The Ties That Bind: Reconciling value pluralism and national identity Dr Yassir Morsi, Lecturer, Aboriginal studies, La Trobe University, Author: Radical Skin, Moderate Masks: De-radicalising the Muslim and Racism in Post-racial Societies Dr Chloe Patton, Lecturer, RMIT. Research spans sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, and intersections of gender, race, identity and representation. Author: Visualising Young Muslims in the West This program is recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and Naarm
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
School apologises after girl, 12, punished for wearing Union Jack dress to ‘Culture Day'
A school was forced to apologise after it sent a 12-year-old pupil home for wearing a Union Jack dress at a class about diversity. Courtney Wright wore the Spice Girls -style frock to Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, after students were encouraged to wear 'traditional cultural dress' to celebrate the 'rich diversity of our community'. But the Year 7 'straight A' student was removed from her class on Friday and told to wait in reception until her father Stuart Field, 47, collected her. Mr Field told MailOnline: 'It's ironic they were having a cultural diversity day but then decided to single out a group of people. Others were allowed in burkas, niqabs or traditional Nigerian clothing. 'Somebody at the school has politicised a Union Jack dress even though that was clearly not Courtney's intent. She wanted to celebrate being British, she couldn't understand what was wrong with that.' In a letter sent to parents, the school said pupils could take part in a 'variety of activities, designed to promote inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds, traditions and heritages.' 'We encourage students to consider wearing attire that reflects their nationality or family heritage. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the cultures of their peers and staff'. Mr Field claimed other pupils with St George's and Welsh flags were also turned away, while students wearing other burkas were allowed. The father-of-five said Courtney had prepared a speech about history and traditions like the Royal Family and tea as part of the celebration. He claimed she was going to praise fish and chips, drinking tea, kings, queens, castles and writers such as Shakespeare. A spokesperson for Stowe Valley Trust said: 'At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included. "On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. "We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage. "As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all.'
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
School banned my daughter, 12, from ‘diversity day' for wearing Union Jack dress – the reason was ridiculous
A GIRL was banned from a school's cultural diversity day — for wearing a Union Jack dress. Heartbroken pupil Courtney Wright, 12, was told: 'You get to celebrate being British everyday, this is for everybody else.' 4 4 4 The Year 7 pupil teamed her dress — similar to the one worn by Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in the 90s, above — with a matching bowler hat. She also planned to read a speech celebrating tea, Shakespeare, fish and chips and the royals. But the grade-A student was stopped by teachers who gave her the option of wearing a second-hand uniform instead. Courtney refused before her dad Stuart Field, 47, arrived to collect her from Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. Last night, he slammed the school for 'virtue signalling' and said he had since received a grovelling apology. The dad of five told The Sun: 'Her head of year bizarrely said that if she had worn a suit of armour or a nurse's outfit, she probably would have been allowed. "It's ridiculous. The irony is they were having a cultural diversity day and yet they singled out a group of people. 'She's a grade-A student and they have vilified her and punished her for being proud of being British.' He said a mum told him her son was banned for wearing a farmer's outfit. The marine engineer, from Coventry, added: 'This was Courtney's interpretation of British culture and what it means to her. Homeowner divides opinion with Union Jack driveway as some praise 'patriot' but others say it'll 'knock £20k off house' "Their response goes against all the school's inclusion policies. She was segregated from the kids taking part.' Before last Friday's event, head Jayne Delves wrote to parents: 'This special day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community. "Students across all year groups will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of cultural activities.' In her speech, Courtney hoped to say: 'We have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love of talking about the weather and our Royal Family. 'We have amazing history, like kings and queens, castles and writers like Shakespeare.' She would add: 'Sometimes at school we only hear about other cultures — which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. 'But it can feel like being British doesn't count as a culture, just because it's the majority.' The school responded: 'We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. We've since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. 'We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring every student feels recognised and supported.' 4
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Southern Turkey's Hatay cuisine: how a Mediterranean hub on the Silk Road gave birth to 600 dishes
Sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the northwestern corner of Syria is Turkey's southernmost province, Hatay, a region known for its beauty, cultural diversity, storied past and distinctive cuisine. Advertisement Settled since at least the early Bronze Age, the region has been controlled by the Akkadians, the Hurrians, the Assyrians, the Macedonians, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, among others. The province's capital, Antakya – known in Roman and medieval times as Antioch – was built by one of Alexander the Great's generals around 300BC, becoming one of the largest cities in the Greco-Roman world. The word 'Christian' was even coined here, according to the New Testament, Paul (formerly Saul) having taught in Antioch and used the city as a base for his missionary journeys. Ancient mosaic from Hatay, Turkey. Antakya's role as a mercantile hub over centuries – it was a gateway on the Silk Road to the Mediterranean – meant it welcomed many nationalities. Hatay was incorporated into the Turkish Republic as recently as 1939, with a large Arab population who speak Levantine Arabic and Turkish, and a multireligious community of Muslims, Christians and Jews. This diversity is also evident in the cuisine of the region – a blend of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Anatolian flavours and ingredients. The terrain of Hatay province is varied. 'Having a vast plateau, the Amanus [Nur] Mountains and the Mediterranean, the high and low altitudes give us the opportunity to grow our own produce,' says Antakya native Maksut , chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Vineyards, spices, herbs, olives, figs, oranges, lemons, legumes and vegetables abound in this mild climate and fertile soil. This bounty features in Hatay's rich cuisine, with its more than 600 unique dishes. This led the province – which is also a metropolitan municipality – to be named a City of Gastronomy in 2017 within the Unesco Creative Cities Network. Antakya native Maksut Aşkar, chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Photo: Handout 'The food in Antakya is bold. It's one of the few places that nails the balance between acidity, spiciness and richness,' says Istanbul-born chef Mina Güçlüer, who helms acclaimed restaurant Belon in Hong Kong. 'Despite appearing hearty, the dishes never feel heavy. They achieve a distinct acidity that adds complexity while keeping things light and refreshing.'
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
From Chetti weddings to 50pc traffic discounts, Unity Week 2025 in Batu Kawan blends culture, cuisine and community; PM to attend July 19
NIBONG TEBAL, July 13 — The 2025 National Unity Week (SMP) celebration, set to take place over four days starting next Thursday at Batu Kawan Stadium here, promises a variety of exciting and interactive activities for visitors. Penang National Unity and Integration Department director Rozai Zahar Nedi said among the main attractions will be traffic summons discounts of between 30 and 50 percent offered by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). He said this third edition, following previous ones in Kuching (2023) and Johor (2024), will feature the Rumah Kami exhibition, showcasing 24 ethnic groups from across the country, including the Siamese, Chetti, Kerinci, Melayu Brunei, Baba Nyonya, Kedayan and Bisaya. 'Visitors will be able to step inside these traditional houses and experience their culture, food, weddings and attire firsthand. 'There will also be live cooking demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to sample their unique cuisines throughout the four-day event,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the Seberang Perai Selatan Unity Complex. 'It's more than just displaying the architecture of each ethnic group, we're filling these houses with traditional attire, cultural performances, dances and music specially curated for visitors,' he said. Police and the Penang Island City Council will be setting up counters offering discounts on traffic summonses between 30 and 50 per cent. — Bernama pic Rozai Zahar said SMP 2025 will also feature exhibitions by 43 government departments and agencies, entrepreneur showcases under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, displays and product sales by Progressive Rukun Tetangga Areas, a book fair, foodunites and food trucks, e-sports and traditional games, as well as performances by popular artists. For security and defence enthusiasts, he said there will be a display of assets by the Malaysian Armed Forces, PDRM, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Civil Defence Force. The highlight of the event will be the official launch by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 10.30 am on July 19, where he is expected to join visitors at the foodunites area, which will offer over 130 traditional dishes at affordable prices. With a target of 200,000 visitors, Rozai Zahar said this year's northern zone edition of SMP is themed 'Perpaduan Dalam Kepelbagaian Bagi Memupuk Keharmonian Masyarakat Melalui Detik-Detik Perpaduan' (Unity in Diversity: Fostering Social Harmony Through Shared Moments of Unity). Rozai Zahar said the objective of SMP is to raise public awareness on the importance of preserving national unity and integration as the foundation for a harmonious, prosperous and stable added that the event aims to ignite patriotic spirit and love for the country, while fostering a society where unity is reflected in daily interactions, guided by mutual respect, cooperation, and tolerance, ultimately encouraging greater community engagement. He said free Rapid Penang bus services will run between Sungai Nibong, Seberang Jaya, and Batu Kawan Stadium, while AirAsia Ride will offer discounted fares to the venue. With just three days to go, Rozai Zahar said preparations are 80 percent complete and now in the final phase, with teams working to ensure all plans proceed smoothly. 'SMP isn't just a programme by the Ministry of National Unity, it also involves other ministries, such as the Ministry of Education. This is not merely a festival, but an informative platform designed to directly engage and educate the public,' he emphasised. — Bernama
