Dutch labor relations in tomorrow's world Diversity, integration, and globalization
This year's annual Labor Relations Conference was held in an inspiring setting: the backdrop was the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. A diverse group of participants met to discuss today's challenges and relate them to their own situation. They gained inspiration at Aya Sophia, and learned from art, religion, and practical models. Everyone was able to relate to diversity here. Is it not simply a question of relaxing and adapting to each other a bit? Opinions differ: is the government responsible, or is everyone responsible? Next year, the future will probably continue to be shaped in Marrakesh. Mark this site (www.debaak.nl/cav).
Is diversity actually a problem?
Ronald de Leij (AWVN):
Are we making the problem of diversity bigger than it is? In the Netherlands, Ramadan has become a problem and is now something we tend to worry about. Not so in Turkey. In the Netherlands, there's a rising tendency to cling to what's familiar when the environment turns hostile. This awkward way of dealing with things forces others to reinforce their position.
Maybe the Dutch just aren't proud enough. How can we convey our own culture if we are not really proud of it? New cultures would probably be less threatening if we were proud of things typically Dutch.
Creative dialog
Diversity conjures up unrest, but let's not forget that we are all equal in the end. The government has an important task: we need a large-scale project plan, such as the Delta Plan, and spend a lot of time and money to find a solution. We’re currently using old models to control a new situation, whereas it would probably be better to look ahead rather than back and let our imagination work out new ways of looking at the situation.
Heleen Termijn, Director IMC Weekendschool:
Nine years ago, the Weekendschool was established to motivate and stimulate children in deprived neighborhoods using role models and cases. The newspapers may contain a lot of articles about integration and diversity, but most of them are about the related clash of cultures. What we need is affirmative action. That's something everyone can contribute to.
Alexander Rinooy Kan, Chairman SER
Diversity has three facets: fact, fun, and fantasy! There are no two ways about it: the world is diverse! Diversity can be fun, for example, if everyone works toward the same goal. But diversity also requires an effort. ‘Diversity breeds distrust’: it increases social uncertainty. Diversity requires a different type of self-confidence, a new vision of the future, and expertise dealing with diversity. And people need to be trained for that. It's a challenge, but one that is certainly worth it, because diversity can also be fun!
Angelique Ulvihanoglu-Nauta, Fortis, Istanbul
Dealing with diversity requires respect, interest, and self-analysis. You have to dig into another culture in order to deal with diversity!
Paul Schnabel, Chairman CBS
Diversity is something we still need to get used to in the Netherlands. In 1970, only one percent of the population belonged to an ethnic minority group. Today, that percentage has risen to ten, and in the big conglomerations it has even exceeded thirty-five percent!
Jan Rinzema (theologian): Diversity from three concepts: origin, oikos, and dialogue.
Origin: We live in a symbolic universe, and we choose symbols to keep a check on our lives. Creating the feeling of belonging has something primal about it. Oikos: The basic question of life ... a sense of belonging. When people lose faith, they start believing EVERYTHING. The institution no longer exists, rendering debate impossible. Now that we've emphasized SELF-development, there seems to be a need for COLLECTIVE-development. Dialogue: Dialogue is what we need to find a solution. Were we to go back and talk about the primal experience, we would see that we have more in common than first meets the eye. Our basic desires are the same.
Nellie van Doorn (Islamologist): The deafening roar of vacuum!
There is a vacuum in the Muslim world. People who are not happy with the old rules but aren't quite sure what they want are looking for new forms ("cut-and-paste-Islam"). The old proclaimers of the faith are losing their leadership role and the vacuum is not being filled by new leaders. There's conflict in the Muslim world. A striking example is the discussion about whether it is allowed to wear a burka: A heated discussion in the Netherlands, while it's simply forbidden in a number of Islamic countries. Why is this such an issue in the Netherlands? We have to establish contacts in the vacuum.