Press Release Author: The author is the ambassador of Australia to the Czech Republic. He is based in Warsaw, The Prague Post
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Press Release Summary: Australia\'s history with immigrants may help the Czech Republic and the rest of the EU Commentary
Australia's experience with multiculturalism may be an interesting reference point for Europe and the Czech Republic.
Press Release Body: Mingling of peoples of different heritages and cultures in Europe has not always been positive. Throughout history, the conquest of various peoples and places has often resulted in oppression and exploitation of minorities.
Yet multiculturalism is of growing significance, with the development of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, which gives EU residents more freedom to travel quickly across country borders. There's a new wave of economic migration across Europe, and it affects all of the countries.
As the Czech Republic adopts the Schengen Agreement later this year and continued strong economic growth leads to shortages in particular areas of its work force, the issue has come to the forefront.
So what has been Australia's experience?
Australia is a nation built on migration. Its population of 21 million has come from some 200 countries. Almost one in four of our residents was born overseas. Since World War II, we have been the third highest recipient of refugees in the world.
Most of this migration has been the result of carefully managed migration policies. Over the past 35 years, these policies have, notably, been non-discriminatory with respect to nationality, race, ethnicity, religion and sex.
Australian officials have actively encouraged and fostered multiculturalism during this time period. They have held firm to the belief that no Australian should be disadvantaged on the basis of their country of birth, cultural heritage, language, sex or religion. Migrants have been encouraged and assisted to retain and respect their heritage, including their language.
While English is our working language, almost 150 languages are taught in Australia today. Over time, our main source of migrants has shifted from Europe to Asia. People from Sudan currently make up the fastest growing birthplace group of migrants to our country.
Although Christianity is Australia's predominant religion, other religions, including Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, have shown the biggest proportional increase in recent years.
What has been the outcome of this experience? Has it been a positive one?
These questions were answered with an unequivocal "yes" during the recent visit to Prague by two exceptional Australians of Lebanese heritage.
The first was Professor Marie Bashir, who, as governor of Australia's largest state, New South Wales, now occupies the first public office created in Australia. Governor Bashir also holds the honorary elected position as chancellor (rector) of Australia's oldest university, the University of Sydney. A medical doctor, psychiatrist and administrator, her many achievements include being an Australian "mother of the year."
The other visitor was the governor's husband of 50 years, Sir Nicholas Shehadie. Sir Nicholas is a former captain and manager of the iconic Australian Wallabies Rugby Union team. He was the first non-Anglo-Saxon Lord Mayor of Sydney, and has been chairman of the Australian multicultural TV and radio network, SBS.
During the couple's visit to Prague, Governor Bashir led a discussion at a dinner hosted by the Prague Society on the issue of Australia's experience with multiculturalism.
Both the governor and Sir Nicholas exemplify the richness of Australia's multicultural heritage. Both have achieved and contributed much to our society.
Governor Bashir spoke of the great opportunities Australia had provided for its migrants, the support it offered them to help them make difficult adjustments to a new society, including special language translation services, and the richness that our migrants have brought to our society and to our economy.
I would also argue that multiculturalism in Australia has led to the development of a cohesive, innovative, progressive and dynamic society.
Australia has been ranked as having the lowest risk of political instability in the world. Australia ranks third in the world on the U.N. Human Development Index. Australia is enjoying its 15th consecutive year of economic growth, growth that has been well above the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) world average.
Over the past 25 years, Australia has become one of the most open and competitive economies in the world. Our standard of living now exceeds that of all G8 countries other than the United States. For five consecutive years, it has been ranked as having the world's most resilient economy.
Five of our state capital cities are rated by the Economist Intelligence Unit as being among the world's top 12 "most livable cities."
Migrants have contributed significantly to Australia's sporting prowess, including coming in an extraordinary fourth place in the last two Olympic Games.
Migrants also contribute immensely to our rich academic, cultural and culinary life. They have, for example, been instrumental in making Australia - traditionally a beer-drinking nation - the third largest exporter of wine in the world. Our multicultural society also helps our large tourist industry and our position as a place of learning for over 300,000 international students every year.
All this is not to say that social cohesiveness is not an issue in Australia. Every now and then disruptions occur that the media is quick to attribute to ethnic tensions -although that is often only part of the story. But these disruptions are, I believe, dwarfed by the great positives that have come from our cultural diversity.
The issue of an Australian national identity is also one that has been on the government's agenda. Indeed, in October, it will be introducing two measures to promote social cohesiveness and Australian values.
First, from mid-October, most people who apply for permanent or selected temporary visas to Australia will be required to sign a "values statement," which confirms their commitment to abide by Australian law and to respect the Australian way of life.
Australian values include: respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, equality of men and women, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, support for parliamentary democracy, and support for freedom of speech.
Second, from Oct. 1, most migrants to Australia will need to pass a new Australian citizenship test before they can apply for Australian citizenship. The aim of the test is to ensure that new citizens can participate fully in Australian life and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
The test is multiple choice and includes questions about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship, Australian values, Australia's geography, history and peoples, and the Australian system of government.
Europe has given Australia much, including through migration. I would be very happy if Europe could, as it ponders its future, take a very positive message from Australia's experience with immigration and multiculturalism.
--- The author is the ambassador of Australia to the Czech Republic. He is based in Warsaw, The Prague Post
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