News and Views

August 05, 2005
Accepting Diversity A Struggle in Thailand

In Thailand, appreciation for diverse cultures is still a struggle, like in most other countries. Many people have begn to realize that the obvious--that learning to live with racial and cultural differences is the key to finding unity. Leaders in Thailand are now pushing state authorities to address the changes needed to respect the rights and cultures of other races. As dean of political science at Chulalongkorn University, Amara Pongsapit puts it,"The world is changing, and the issue of national security is no longer the main concern. What is more important now is human security." She is indeed right and the rest of the world needs to take action of this awareness. Many countries from all over the world are beginning to realize the importance of celebrating diversity because we all share the same world. Now it's a matter of putting unity before uniformity in the 21st century. What can we do to encourage world-wide harmony and respect? There is no easy answer, but that starting small, like acknowledging the need for respect and acceptance of all cultures, is at aleast one step forward.

Read more at: Bangkok Post