Multiculturalism a strength, needs trust to flourish: Experts

Singapore's approach to diversity may offer lessons worth studying, says panellist

- Shermaine Ang

When different communities interact with one another regularly and are supported by government policies that encourage such mixing, the outcome tends to be positive, resulting in reduced prejudice, deeper societal integration and more economic dynamism.

Yet while the evidence is clear on the strengths that multiculturalism can bring to a society, the erosion of trust around the world has made it more difficult for such plurality to flourish, experts said on June 24 on the first day of the International Conference on Cohesive Societies.

Speaking at the first plenary session of the three-day conference, Professor Colleen Ward from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, found that people who engage in multicultural contact tend to have a stronger sense of national belonging.

Meanwhile, minority and immigrant groups who live in countries with multicultural policies report higher trust levels and lower levels of perceived discrimination, added the cross-cultural psychologist.

Such strengths, however, rest on a foundation of mutual trust, which is in short supply today, said fellow speaker Ed Williams, who is international president of Edelman.

He pointed to the results of the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, which since 1999 has been measuring the level of trust people in various countries have in societal institutions.