How on earth can we get along?

Episode 92

Mafalda Arias - How on earth can we get along?

Conversations That Matter features Malfalda Arias a cultural integration specialist who addresses why we have so much trouble integrating. Arias says at the core of the problem is our inability to define what Canadian culture is, “because we don't know who we are, or what is our culture, then we go to another place or criticize the culture of the different others. As a result we don’t know what to think or what to question. Why do I do this this way? Why do you do it that way? We're not aware.”

According to Arias we need to understand not just what we do but why we do, what drives our behaviour. Then we need to be willing to ask the same questions of others. It’s challenging because the dominate culture wants to stay the same and requests that newcomers adjust.  What slows down the process of integration is a dizzying array of ingredients that frequently start with us expecting others to know what the dominate culture is and how to automatically adjust to it. Arias points out that if we can’t define what we are then we need to have open conversations that help one another find a common understanding and way of being.

Conversations That Matter is a partner program with the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for these important and engaging Conversations shaping our future.

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