Articles
Forum on Cultural IdentityBy stcharbel
Published: May 15, 2009
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EmailOn Friday 15 May 2009, St Charbel’s College organised a Forum on Cultural Identity on the occasion of the Silver Jubile of the College (1984- 2009). The forum was a chance for students from different colleges to meet with special guests who have a vast experience and published studies and articles on the topics of multiculturalism and cultural integration.
More than one hundred students from St Charbel’s College, Punchbowl, St Maroun’s College, Dulwich Hill, Our Lady of Lebanon College, Harris Park, Holy Spirit College, Lakemba and Mount St Joseph, Milperra took part in the forum.
The students were joined by Mr Joseph Assaf, pioneer of multicultural marketing and author of the book In Someone Else’s Shoes of recent publication, Sr Margaret Ghosn (PhD), Head of Faculty of Pastoral Theology at The Broken Bay Institute and author of several articles on Multiculturalism and Maronite identity, and Ms Jeannette Francis, TV News and Current Affairs reporter from SBS TV.
The event started with a prayer and blessing from Fr Joseph Sleiman, Principal of St Charbel’s College followed by a welcome address from Fr Antoine Tarabay, Rector of St Charbel’s College. In his address Fr Tarabay spoke about the need to move towards Cultural Integration rather than separatism. “Cultural integration” he said, “would allow individuals to be proud of their cultural heritage but be fully immersed inn the life of this country, as citizens who actively participate in the development of this nation. This, however, is unlikely to happen unless the conversation starts at all levels; in our schools, in our churches, and in gatherings such as this one.”
The first Keynote speaker Mr Joseph Assaf spoke about his own experience of migration and cultural integration in Australia. Mr Assaf discussed the very intimate journey of his life as he took the audience through an exploration of his book. Sr Margaret Ghosn PhD spoke about the spiritual and religious dimension that the process of finding one’s identity includes. She discusses whether the religious heritage we bring with us in our journey can be an advantage or a hindrance for cultural integration.
The assembly of students from the participating schools were divided into small groups to allow for group discussions. In the groups, the students discussed the three main focus questions of the forum:
• Is a well defined cultural identity a necessary ingredient for harmonious coexistence in Australian society?
• Is a spiritual life, or a faith life, an impediment, an obstacle or an incentive to a well defined cultural identity in the seemingly secular Australian society?
• Can faith and culture be reconciled in Australia?
This was followed by a third session where a representative from each school delivered a response to the topic of the forum and the whole group shared their
thoughts on the topic. Ms Jeannette Francis, SBS journalist, delivered the panel’s response. Ms Francis spoke about the need to believe in one’s own abilities and gifts. She spoke of the need to break away from stereotypes and stereotyping. Then, the students were given the opportunity to ask questions to the panel of invited guests.
Mr Jaime Rodriguez, coordinator of the event, delivered the concluding remarks of the forum and spoke about “Rejection, Tolerance, Acceptance, and Integration” as the steps that we all seem to go through in the process of developing harmonious communities.
In the opinion of those attending the forum, teachers, students and media representatives, the Forum was a success. This was so given that it provided an opportunity for young people to interact and discuss a topic of relevance to them as individuals and also relevant to Australia as a nation whose identity continues to be a work in progress.
Mr Jaime Rodriguez
Head of Secondary
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