14 March 2012
CONNECTING CULTURES:
Building the tapestry of a global culture by Dave Peebles, Acting Australian High Commissioner
Thank you very much for the invitation to be with you today, to talk about the Commonwealth’s theme for this year, of connecting cultures.
In the nineteenth century, when people first began thinking about culture and what it meant, the focus was on individuals, on improving your life, especially through education.
Later, culture also came to refer to the fulfilment of national aspirations or ideals.
How could nations fulfil their potential?
Later again, culture was used to refer to a universal human culture, and the capacity of the human race as a whole to better itself.
The global communications revolution means that we are slowly building that universal human culture that social scientists in the nineteenth century predicted.
But in this age of globalisation, how do we preserve the best of our local, provincial and national cultures, while building the tapestry of a new, global culture?
In the twentieth century, the belief that some cultures were superior to others led to two catastrophic world wars.
In the twenty first century, we have the opportunity to build something new, and better.
The Commonwealth wisely chose the theme of ‘connecting cultures’ not ‘integrating cultures’, nor ‘abolishing some of the cultures that we don’t like.’
Instead, our challenge is to build the tapestry of a global culture, celebrating and connecting our strengths, and our diversity.
That is both a national and an international challenge.
The challenge of connecting cultures is particularly pertinent for Australia, where we continue to reconcile the strengths of our Indigenous culture with the culture of the settlers who came in the 18th century, and the cultures of the many migrants who have come since then. And I wouldn’t pretend for a moment there are easy answers.
The challenge of connecting cultures is also particularly pertinent for Solomon Islands, a country that has experienced a civil conflict. How can we celebrate difference between individuals, between provinces, rather than it be a cause of conflict? That is a question Solomon Islanders themselves are best placed to answer, but I reckon leadership is a big part of the answer, and so is education.
I want to talk today about some of the threads that I think will build the tapestry of a global culture. The threads of people-to-people links; of education; of the arts; of communications; of government-to-government links; and of international organisations.
Connecting cultures through people-to-people links
Firstly, the thread of connecting cultures through people-to-people links.
I’ve been working on the relationship between Australia and our Pacific neighbours for about twenty years now, first as a student, and then as a public servant.
Now, working as an Australian diplomat in Solomon Islands, I’m impressed by the strong people-to-people links between our two countries.
We have business people going backwards and forwards the whole time.
We have Australian volunteers who have been embraced by Solomon Islands communities.
We have Solomon Islands public servants working in Australian government departments and Australian public servants working in Solomon Islands government departments.
And the one that is closest to my heart, this year we will start the permanent Seasonal Worker Program between Solomon Islands and Australia.
I believe we will look back at the agreement between Solomon Islands and Australia as the start of a new era between our two countries, as Solomon Islanders begin working in Australian communities.
There are many benefits to this scheme, from the opportunity to learn new skills to the opportunity to send money back to Solomon Islands.
But at its heart, it is a commitment to the strong people-to-people links between our two countries, and through those people-to-people links, connecting our cultures.
Australian communities will benefit from the presence of our Solomon Island brothers and sisters, and the proud cultural tradition they bring with them. And I would like to think Solomon Islanders will benefit in some small way from our Australian culture as well.
Connecting cultures through education
Another thread to connecting cultures is education.
There are around 125 Solomon Islanders who are studying in Australia at the moment, on an AusAID scholarship. Another 52 scholarships will be awarded this year.
Australia’s investment in the scholarship program and education in Solomon Islands plays an important role in making sure Solomon Islands has a highly skilled and trained work force, which in turn will promote development in this country.
But the hundreds and hundreds of Solomon Islanders who have studied in Australia, including the Honourable Prime Minister, have also helped develop the strong cultural and people-to-people links between our two countries. Those links will be enduring.
Connecting cultures through the arts
Another thread connecting cultures is the arts.
My first exposure to Solomon Islands was many years ago, when I saw a magnificent performance by Solomon Island dancers in Canberra.
When we were explaining to our five year old son Luke and our three year old daughter Maddy that we were moving to Solomon Islands, one of the first things we did was take them to see some Solomon Islands traditional dancing. Luke and Maddy loved it, and they became very excited about coming to Solomon Islands.
But we were also thrilled with the popularity of an exhibition of Australian Indigenous art here in Honiara last year, showing that cultural connection through the arts can indeed be a two way street.
The Festival of Pacific Arts will be the ultimate example of connecting cultures through the arts. 3000 artists from 27 Pacific countries will gather, here, in Honiara, to gain a better understanding and appreciation for each other’s culture, within the context of the changing Pacific.
Connecting cultures through the communications revolution
Another thread is the communications revolution. We see it in Solomon Islands, with the high rate of mobile phone penetration over the past year, and what this will mean for mobile banking in coming years.
A Solomon Islander friend of mine can be in touch with her sister in Australia in a way that hasn’t been possible until recently.
In her message announcing the Commonwealth’s theme of connecting cultures, Queen Elizabeth the Second said,
“One of the great benefits of today’s technology-based world is the range of opportunities it offers to understand and appreciate how others live: we can see, hear and enter into the experience of people in communities and circumstances far removed from our own.”
Of course, the communications revolution brings challenges. Globalisation means people in the Pacific and elsewhere are aware of, and aspire to, a better lifestyle. That brings with it political pressures, and the need to deliver ongoing economic growth to meet those aspirations.
Still, I think the opportunities that the communications revolution brings far outweigh the challenges. The opportunities include people able to understand and express empathy when disaster strikes on the other side of the world. Another is that all human history is likely to be accessible to every human being sometime this century. And those things must promote connections and understanding across cultures.
Connecting cultures through government-to-government links
Another thread to building a global culture is government-to-government links. Let me provide an example of something that will happen later this month, our Governor-General Quentin Bryce will visit Solomon Islands.
She has been granted the honour of speaking in your Parliament House to a number of women’s representatives. I think this is a wonderful example of building cultural connections between countries, and I’m sure the event will be very moving for our Governor-General.
Later on this year, Prince William and Kate will also visit Solomon Islands – which I think will be a great opportunity for them, and for Solomon Islands.
Connecting cultures through international organisations
A final thread to connecting cultures has been the work of international organisations.
Since World War II, there has been a proliferation of international organisations, driven by the desire to avoid another catastrophic war. These organisations have helped to promote greater understanding between countries, by building a more secure and prosperous world.
Of course, it is a quest without an end – but organisations like the United Nations have helped to preserve cultures and build linkages between them.
Many of you would know that Australia is seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council this year. We are very grateful for the Solomon Islands support in this, our quest. We want to be the Pacific’s representative on the United Nations’ highest decision-making body. We will represent your concerns, and work with you to build further and stronger links across the United Nations.
Conclusion
So those are some of the threads I believe are important in meeting the challenge of connecting cultures, in this age of globalisation.
But as we build this tapestry of a global culture, it is worth remembering that there are many things that are already universal.
I’ve been fortunate to travel to many countries in the world.
Every culture values their children as their most precious thing. That is particularly true in Solomon Islands, which has one of the most child-oriented cultures I’ve experienced.
Every parent wants their children, the next generation, to experience a better life than they were able to experience themselves.
There is much work to be done to connect our cultures and build a global culture.
But we build from some strong foundations.
You all know the story of Joseph and his colourful coat in the Bible.
That is how I imagine it will be when the different threads of a global culture come together. It will be a beautiful mix of colors – no one color will be more important than another, they will all mix in together.
Good luck to all of you as you continue your work to connect cultures together.
Thank you.