Title of Paper Multiculturalism...

Title of Paper:Multiculturalism: Enriching Cultural Enterprises for

National Development

Authors name:Osedebamen David Oamen, PhD.

Address:117 Igun Street,

P. O. Box 4906, Benin City, Nigeria

Telephone No:234-8027311048234-7065246454

Email Address:[email protected]

Institutional Affiliation:Department of Theatre and Media Arts,

Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT This paper strives to discuss multiculturalism whichoften resulted from the concentration of people ofdifferent cultures initiated by geo-political actions ofthe people or colonialism and it is common in nations andcontinents. The paper stressed the process through whichmulticulturalism enriches cultural enterprises fornational development as well as took a swirl on eachconstituent of culture and its economic embodiment thatswells national development. It x-rayed the collectivestrength of multiculturalism and the bountifulenterprises bequeathed on the people of any nation thatis multiculturalised. It further substantiated the needfor nations to take advantage of enterprise potentials ofmulticulturalism for national development. It posit that,rather than mirror multiculturalism as differences andallow it inform negative political views, its enterprise

advantages should be exploited. This is because it iscapable of creating employment as well as enhanceschoices of cultural products and services. It furtherheld that multiculturally influenced enterprisesculminate into multi-economic values for a nation.Therefore, it suggested the exploitation of multiculturalenterprises benefits which enriches national development.The paper concluded that the benefits of multiculturalismshould be of utmost consideration rather than thedifferences within the component cultures. It however,insisted on the political management of multiculturalismthrough a cultural policy mechanism that provides forequality to avoid violence which often stems fromviolation of cultural rights. It added thatmulticulturalism goes with multicultural alternatives inresolving cultural conflicts in the event of mutual co-existence.

Keywords: Multiculturalism, enterprise, culture, enrichescultural policy.

INTRODUCTION

Multiculturalism was used to replace multiethnic,

cultural plurality, multiracial etcetera, in attempt to

manage its implication. It was used in Canada in attempt

to manage their multicultural societies which evolved as

a result of migration of people from different countries.

Consequently, multiculturalism has been popularized and

publicized in different ways and concerted to mean the

convergence of cultures in one society. Indicatively,

multiculturalism is centered on tolerance and

accommodation of other ethic cultures rather than the

dominant culture.

The birth of the concept of multiculturalism can be

traced to the writings of Horace Kallen, who advocated a

policy of “cultural pluralism.” He was a German born

Jewish America philosopher, who first published his ideas

in 1915… the term “multiculturalism” was coined in Canada

in the 1960s, and was used in the Trudeau Government in

attempt to promote harmony between the predominant French

Canadian and British Canadian cultures as well as with

the various minority cultures (Kallen, 2). The Canadian

measure was political, and it was geared towards

inclusive citizenship which creates opportunity for other

cultures to flourish. It ensures that all citizens keep

their identities, take pride in their ancestry and have a

sense of belonging. This was meant to enhance security,

self-confidence and make citizens of a particular culture

receptive to other cultures. This experience encourages

racial and ethnic harmony and cross cultural

understanding, thereby stimulating them to take active

part in social, cultural, economic and political affairs

(Kallen, 1). This will further encourage them to bequeath

their cultural enterprises on their new culture. Atkinson

disagreed totally with the concept of multiculturalism,

especially as it concerns Canadian view. He is of the

opinion that multiculturalism is a derail of the simple

truth that cultures clash. The proponents of

multiculturalism attack this truth by claiming that: All

the different cultures can live one big family as soon as

we get rid of the bad people…which means that to uphold

law and order the values of other cultures must be denied

(Atkinson, 1). This is not true considering the fact that

Canadian multicultural Act has taken caution against such

denial. In its preamble the Act states:

WHEREAS the constitution of Canadaprovides that every individual is equalbefore and under the law and has the rightto the equal protection and benefit of thelaw without discrimination and thateveryone has the freedom of conscience,religion, thought, belief, opinion,expression, peaceful assembly andassociation and guarantees those rights andfreedoms equally to male and female person… (Canadian Govt., 1) This constitutional position gave birth to the

multiculturalism policy of Canadian which states in item

(f) Encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic

and political institutions of Canada to be both

respectful and inclusive of Canada’s multicultural

character…

(h) Foster the recognition and appreciation of the

diverse cultures of Canada society and promote the

reflection and the evolving expressions of those

cultures (Canadian Govt., 3).

This study is poised to discuss multiculturalism on

the dimension of how it enriches cultural enterprises for

national development. Multicultural societies are

expected to have enriched cultural enterprise based on

the multiplicity of their culture. Ethnic uniqueness,

character and other traits or influences differentiate

one culture from another. These characteristics distanced

each culture from another as well as inform its

enterprise. Furthermore, a distinct ethnic culture is one

of the cultures in a multicultural nation and that

bequeath its cultural enterprises on its nation, thereby

enriching it.

MULTICULTURALISM AND CULTURAL ENTERPRISES

Multiculturalism gave birth to multicultural

enterprises with its attendant uniqueness. This means, in

a multicultural setting, there are different cultural

enterprises. In essence, if there are twenty different

cultures, each of them will have different strands of

cultural enterprises. For instance, in a multicultural

setting, if there are twenty strands of music, dance,

woven cloth, carving, sculptures, philosophy, ideas,

artifacts et cetera, it depicts the multiplicity of

cultural enterprises. The difference originates from the

varied cultural background. However, that does not

indicate that there will be no similarities. This may be

closely or distance related. No matter how related they

may be each stands out. This is because the civilization

of a people depends on the uniqueness of their culture;

this is sustained all through their existence.

Consequently, man is the highest of all existing values.

His world view as it concerns his dignity, honour,

rights, thoughts and the realization of all his abilities

are enshrined in his culture. These are projected in

every of his cultural enterprises.

Every cultural enterprise is a representation of the

ethnic culture that gave birth to it within a

multicultural nation. Therefore, a multicultural society

produces multicultural enterprises that are vibrant and

productive because each of the ethnic group that holds on

to each of the strand that constitutes the nation’s

multicultural setting agitate for superiority towards

effective management of their culture – that is ensuring

its developmental strength is utilized. In doing this,

the various cultural enterprises are developed and

charged towards sustenance as well as sustain

practitioners.

Canadian example of multicultural management

indicates that there is more to gain if multiculturalism

is properly managed. More so, of concern to this study is

the nation’s desire to encourage and assist the social,

cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada

to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada’s

multicultural character. Most related to this study is

economic aspect which informs multicultural enterprises

and national development. Obviously, Canadian approach

was political; apart from creating a healthy political

atmosphere it also evolve an environment that strengthens

the enrichment of cultural enterprises towards nation

building.

Scully argued along the line of Atkinson. He had the

view that when societies are multicultural, the

ethnocentric differences of race, religion, ethnicity and

languages often lead to enmity. Even if different groups

live together peacefully, the lack of a common language

norm reduces cooperation and increases the cost of

transecting. However, he submitted that: But this is

dangerous because emphasizing our cultural differences

may exacerbate inter group enmity and lead to social

breakdown (Scully, 13).

The cause of the social breakdown is sometime, due

to ethnic competition for superiority, bearing in mind

that ethnicity holds the total value of multiculturalism.

The agitation that leads to social break down is

political, this seem to attract more of multiculturalism.

Meanwhile, the opposite of this agitation and its vital

constituent are cultural enterprises. Multiculturalism

gave birth to cultural enterprises which can also be

referred to as ethnic enterprises. It was observed that

The term “ethnic enterprises” carries withit considerable academic and analyticalcache. It does so because racial/ethnicbackground and affiliation really matter inbusiness education and management practice.It matters in term of history and theexperiences of individuals and ethnicgroups based on social customs, attitudesand economic practices. Various processesare in place to limit the availability andgrowth of ethnic enterprises (4)… At leastin academic circles the ideas ofmulticultural education, multiculturalcommunication and other fields as well makeit seem appropriate that the termmulticultural also applies to businessenterprises (Spratlen, 5).The cultural industries are publishing, music,

cinema, craft and design. Each of these industries

constitutes cultural enterprises. Multiculturalism

informs multicultural enterprises. Most countries of the

world are multiculturalised, and this has impacted

economically, politically and socially on the nation.

Nigeria is a good example of a country with an

exemplified multicultural experience of cultural

enterprises.

MULTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES: THE NIGERIA EXPERIENCE

Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914 for the purpose of

administrative convenience by colonial administration.

Prior to amalgamation, cultural practices strengthened

each ethnic and interethnic relation rather than weaken

it. This is because every ethnic group struggles for

survival and recognition within the large pool of culture

brought together by amalgamation. The survival and

recognition instinct of the various cultures turned

Nigeria into a multicultural nation. … the area now

designated as Nigeria was occupied by numerous

independent ethnic nationalities each with its own unique

culture and social system. It is estimated that Nigeria

has over four hundred cultures (Adelakun, 68). Each of

these culture is valid and active, that means the people

of that culture still actively practice it, and it

implies that each of the cultural enterprises of these

cultures are alive and practiced. Hence it was asserted

that,

Not all countries are linguistically or,culturally homogeneous but many, to takeexample of… Nigeria, comprise a fewhundred subcultures each proud of theirtribal or caste allegiance and each withtheir own language or dialect butcommunicating at national level only bymeans of English… (Palineoda, 59)

The multicultural manifestations of Nigeria, as a

nation inspired the federal government to draw a cultural

policy influenced by internal and external influences for

the management of her varied cultures. The national

cultural policy which, was adopted in 1988 states in

paragraph 2.2

A cultural policy is imperative in order toincorporate such an essential part of ourhistory into our general national developmentprocess, because, culture as a force has bothits own economic and political consequences inthe life of any nation (Nigerian Govt., 333).The economic aspect of it consists of the cultural

enterprises that are embedded in the various ethnic

cultures that constitute Nigeria. These cultural

enterprises, span across the various cultural industries:

publishing, music, cinema, craft and design (Nigerian

Govt., 1) in Nigeria.

In essence, each strand of culture in Nigeria is a

cultural enterprise with one of the cultural industries.

For instance, we have over four hundred ethnic groups in

Nigeria as estimated. If these groups decide to collect

their dominant folktales and put them in a book, that

would amount to four hundred books. It could also be

imagined, if other strands of these cultural values are

improved upon or advanced through creativity, it will

have huge impact on other industries. Let’s examine the

cultural enterprises in publishing for example, they are

writing, (creative and non- creative), typing and

formatting, film transfer, art work, lithography,

printing, cover design, folding, collation, binding,

trimming and packaging, sales and librarianship. Each of

these cultural enterprises engages an individual in the

publishing industry. If the culture of the people in a

particular ethnic group generates about ten books in a

year, you can imagine how busy these cultural enterprises

are likely to be. Apart from the printing of books, there

are other printable materials that would pass through the

same process. If all the ethnic groups in Nigeria advance

their cultural enterprises within the printing industry

in the above manner, it will go a very long way to boost

business activities within the industry. One could also

imagine the largeness of the printing industry in Nigeria

because it is ethnic related. That means the development

of the printing industry is dependent on the revolving

culture of the people. If this process is formalized and

managed adequately, one can imagine the large imputes of

the culture of each ethnic group into the total economy

of Nigeria. This is an indication of how culture of the

various ethnic groups in Nigeria generates cultural

enterprises that feed the cultural industry in Nigeria.

That means, if one cultural industry have over twelve

enterprises, as in the example of publishing, four

hundred ethnic groups with varied cultures will generate

abundance of cultural enterprises. That means, each

enterprise equals four thousand eight hundred cultural

enterprises. Therefore, if each cultural enterprise can

employ an average of ten persons, how many will twelve

cultural enterprises employ? If one cultural industry can

generate four thousand, eight hundred enterprises, how

many will the remaining, five cultural industries

generate with more than twelve cultural enterprises?

There is no doubt, that the cultural policy of Nigeria

envisaged these cultural enterprises and industries’

economic potentials. These cultural enterprise potentials

are gradually developing to curb unemployment which has

assumed econopolitical problem. Moreover, cultural enterprise

has political dimension which include it as a source of

pride to its immediate ethnic group, the country and the

world at large. Cultural enterprise multiplicity provides

choices for national and international communities.

Multiculturalism in Nigeria is more of advantage because

her cultural multiplicity has impacted on every cultural

enterprise and the various cultural industries.

Nigeria’s experience: Indeed by virtue of her ethnic

plurality, Nigeria’s cultural space is characterized by

very rich and diverse manifestations, both tangible and

intangible. These in turn have given Nigeria her peculiar

colours, identity and authority in the comity of nations

(Ben-Ihenacho, 37-38).

Nigeria’s multicultural experience has enriched her

cultural industries and enterprises. This has been

envisioned in the national cultural policy which is being

implemented. Also, Nigeria’s constitution has the

provision regarding the rights of Nigeria people to

develop and promote their cultures (Obafemi, 28).

Multiculturalism in Nigeria has enriched Nigeria and

Nigerians, as well as provided multiple choices in

cuisine, costumes, music, drama, pottery, painting,

weaving, leather works, carving, architectural design,

literature et cetera. These multicultural choices are

bequeathed by each of the ethnic group in Nigeria.

However, multiculturalism is not void of problems;

Nigeria’s has been enriched multiculturally than

experience problems.

MULTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Multicultural enterprises are instruments of

national development. The process through which,

multicultural enterprises impact on national development

begins with the individuals who engages in the

enterprise… capitalizing on the diverse range of skills

and expertise that cultural diversity brings. “This will

result in multiple economic and social benefits to the

participating individuals and their families…”

(Kamara,1). The individual who engages in a cultural

enterprise does so with the intention to earn a living

depending on his cultural background which informed his

enterprise. In consideration

From the definition of cultural industries, acultural enterprise can be defined as acommercial venture, within one of the above –stipulated a sector that connects creators andartists to markets and consumers, providing theformer with recognition and a source of income.Cultural enterprises may be strongly motivatedby profits or they may be non-profitorganizations and public institutions… culturalenterprises generate value and in the optimalcase, income too, for a range of actors acrossthe value chain production (Kamara, 9).Cultural enterprises have a value chain of

production which begins with artists or cultural

entrepreneurs who engage in creativity. They are artists,

writers, designers, weavers, composers, directors,

performers, etcetera these work for producers. These

producers are publishers, music and film producers, sound

technicians, managers. After production, these products

are circulated by distributors. They include promoters,

agents, retailers, festivals and fair organizers,

marketers, curators, etcetera. The value chain of

cultural enterprises indicates its economic viability. It

was further observed that

Cultural enterprises are the base businessneeding to attain a certain economicviability that permits them to becomesustainable and provide the actors acrosstheir value chain with a decent standardof living. In this sense, general businessdevelopment strategies should also applyto cultural enterprises. However, thecultural sector shows many particularitiesthat mean that conventional economictheory does not always apply well to thesector. Cultural enterprises deal in symbolic goodsand services, which communicate meaning andvalues. They are not conventionalcommercial ventures in the sense that theymix up making money and making meaning. Thesymbolic content of a cultural good orservice is usually of greater importancethan the functional and material content.The base of this symbolic content oftenlies on intellectual property, which isalso often the most important, if not theonly, asset that a cultural enterpriseholds. (Kamara, 11)

Most cultural enterprises are ethnotised – tied to

a particular ethic group. This places such cultural

enterprises on the high side of demand, especially if

such cultural enterprise is of high value. In a

multicultural nation, if each cultural enterprise is tied

to an ethnic group, it gives rise to the number of

cultural enterprises in that country. As each of the

cultural enterprises of each ethnic group is engaged in

by creative artist, who create for all cultural

enterprise producers, while cultural enterprise producers

produce for cultural commodity distributors. The

exploitation of each cultural enterprise in a

multicultural nation multiplies cultural enterprise

businesses down the value chain. The various cultural

enterprise businesses, creation, production and

distribution create jobs in multiple forms similar to the

variegated nature of the culture so exploited. As the

cultures of the various ethnic groups influence creation

production and the distribution of cultural goods and

services at ethnic level it enriches cultural enterprises

business at the national level, thereby providing

multiple choices for cultural goods and services. The

creation, production and distribution process engages

labour – a source of employment which impacts on gross

domestic product, which strengthens national development.

That means, capitalizing on the diverse range of skills

and expertise that cultural diversity brings “…result in

multiple economic and social benefits to the

participating individuals and their families” (1), the

nation and the entire world.

RECOMMENDATION

The potentials of multiculturalism and its process

of enriching cultural enterprises for national

development have been vigorously argued. The following

recommendations are necessary to enhance the process.

First the term multicultural enterprises and its positive

impact should be accepted as a factor in national

development. At least in academic circles the ideas of

multicultural education, multicultural communication and

other fields as well make it seem appropriate that the

term multicultural also applies to business enterprise.

This authenticates the need for acceptability of

multiculturalism and how it strengthens cultural

enterprises. Cultural enterprises in a multicultural

nation should be positively exploited as a means of

national development through employment creation for

young people. This will not only create jobs but promote

culture. It becomes more important to exploit cultural

enterprise potentials in the area of employment which has

posed serious challenge to government.

It must be acknowledged that the factstill remains that the aspirations forjob employment by young people,illiterate or literate, throughout thedeveloping countries and developedcountries cannot be met practically fora very long time. Realizing this factmost countries have been exploring andexperimenting with different strategies

to solve such gigantic problems… (Osei-Hwedia et al, 161).

The cultural enterprise opportunities that abound in

multicultural nations are capable of reducing the problem

of unemployment in multicultural nations. That is if

government takes the initiative to;

(a) Encourage entrepreneurs in the areas of cultural

enterprise.

(b) Encourage cultural skills and talents dominant in

each ethnic group.

(c) Provide project management expertise to aspiring

and existing cultural enterprise entrepreneurs.

(d) Support entrepreneurship through the building of

networks, providing training, information and

mentoring

(e) Linking cultural enterprise entrepreneur with

internal and external support services.

(f) Intending and existing cultural enterprise

entrepreneur should be given access to business

training, modulated guidance in business planning,

assistance in accessing startup funds, marketing

support and development.

(g) Partnership with higher institutions of higher

learning to provide short and long term training

for entrepreneurs

(h) Encourage research and use of modern technological

equipment.

Through concerted planning and implementation,

government can bring to fruition the economic benefits

that flows from multiculturalism into cultural

enterprise, which if properly managed can enhance

national development.

CONCLUSION

Though multiculturalism may have its negative

implications, this should not be allowed to swallow the

enriching and developmental potentials of its impact on

cultural enterprises. Rather, now that it is certain that

multiculturalism enriches cultural enterprises for

national development, developing nations can now see

these manifestations as positive advantages which should

be exploited.

In spite of the problems that bedevil

multiculturalism, its enrichment potential of cultural

enterprises equals it. Government of multicultural

nation, especially developing nations can take its

potential as an option in defense of multicultural as

well as its development capacity.

REFEREES

Artists in Development: UNESCO Culture Sector. Retrieved from

http://portal

unesco.org/culture / en/ev.php… on 24/5/2012.

Anele, D. I. O. “Black African Culture and Aesthetics.”

Eds. Obafemi, O. and B.

Ayakoroma, Perspective on Cultural Administration in Nigeria.

Ibadan: Kraft

Books Ltd. 2010. P.111-127

Adelakun, O. “Cultural Documentation and Structural

Analysis.” Eds. Obafemi,

O. and B. Ayakorom. Perspectives on Cultural

Administration in Nigeria.

Ibadan; Kraft Books Ltd. 2010. P. P. 64 –

74.

Atkinson P. Multiculturalism: Its Real Nature and Origin. Retrieved

from

htt://www.our civilization.com/m/tul+.htm on

24/5/2012.

Creative Industries: UNESCO Culture. Retrieved from

http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en.php-

URL_ID=35024... On 5/12/2012.

Canadian Multicultural Act. Retrieved from http://laws-

lois.jnstice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c - 18.7/page - 1.html h-3

on 24/5/2012.

Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship

http://www.cic.gc.ca /english/multituralism

/citizenship... on 24/5/2012.

Kamara, V. Keys to successful cultural Enterprises Development in

Developing

Nations. Paris: UNESCO, 2003.

Multicultural Enterprise Australia. Retreived from

htt/p://menet+mrc.wordpress.com

on 24/5/2012.

Obafemi, O. “Culture: An Overview” Obafemi, O. and B.

Ayakoroma, Perspective

on Cultural Administration in Nigeria. Ibadan: KraftS Books

Ltd. 2010.

Ben – Iheanacho. E. O. “Cultural Tourism and Nigerian

Economy: Synergy for

Improved Creative Industry Products

consumption.” Eds. Obafemi, O. and B

Ayankoroma. Perspective on Cultural Administration in

Nigeria. Ibadan: Kraft

Books Ltd. 2010. P. 37 – 49.

Osei – Hwedia, K. et at. Youth and Community Work Practice:

Methods, techniques

and skills. Lusaka, Zambia: Multimedia Publishers. 1990.

Spratlen, H. T. From Minority Business to Multicultural Enterprises:

Changing

Discriptions, Domographics and Dimensions of Cultural Diversity.

Usasbe;

seattle, 2005.

Shetima A. G. “Nigeria: Cultural Diplomacy and

Globalisation.” Eds. Obafemi, O

and Ayakoroma B. Perspectives on Cultural Administration in

Nigeria. Ibadan: Kraft Books Ltd. 2010. P. 103 – 109.

Scully, G. W. Multiculturalism and Economic Growth. National

Centre for Policy

Analysis: Dallas, 1995

UNESCO / NORAD – Capacity Building for Cultural Enterprises in Developing

Countries, 2005/12. Retrieved from http://deversitye –

culture.qc.ca/mdex.php… on 24/5/2012.

The Menace of Multiculturalism – The Origin of “The Cult of Ethnicity”

(Multiculturalism) Retreived from http://www.wonbark

resources.com/mc/me04. Hm on 24/5/2012.