On 21 May 2025, UNESCO Chair, Deakin Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, delivered the 2025 Cultural Diversity Oration. It was hosted by the City of Darebin to mark World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Mayor of the City of Darebin, Kristine Olaris, opened the event and Uncle John Terrick gave a Welcome to Country. Local comedian and MC, Diana Nguyen, introduced and facilitated the Oration Q and A.
Professor Mansouri spoke on the topic of Exploring Multiculturalism, Diversity and Intercultural Relations in Australia.
In particular, he spoke about the differences and debate that surrounds multiculturalism and interculturalism. At one point, he summarised his position by saying:
“I strongly support the intercultural approach…with its emphasis on dialogue and meaningful contact. But I still believe that multiculturalism has a big role to play…and I don’t see interculturalism as a substitute for multiculturalism but rather as a complementary approach that can help us respond to…today’s more complex realities. So…multiculturalism still very much does the macrolevel policy setting very well…it deals with those justice issues. It deals with setting the parameters right for states. Whereas interculturalism operates most effectively at the local level…Diversity and migration are complex issues and there is no one-size fits-all solution. We don’t need to choose between the two. We can draw on both approaches depending on the context, the community and the challenges at hand.”
The Q and A was followed by live music and light snacks.
