Dear Suze,

I'm not talking about suburbs, but separate
towns because suburban ethnic/cultural
concentrations have existed for decades.
It's the conflict that creates a problem at
the suburban borders that I'm trying to avoid.

Those that wish to live in homogenous societies,
as they do currently will continue to do so and
be absorbed into the local culture.
Those that want to maintain their differences
however, will be given a choice.

Dear Belly,

Thank You for being so open and honest and for
your hearfelt positive comments. This topic
was merely meant as a discussion to solicit
general opinions to develop different ways to
solving some of the problems in our society.

Dear rehctub,

Australia was always a nation of immigrants -
from early settlement. It might be a distant
memory to you - but in inner-city areas the
crime rate today is much the same as it was in
the 1940s/1950s according to police records.

As for an Australia full of Australians.
What exactly does that mean? Afterall aren't
people who become citizens - Australians - no
matter what their cultural background or origin?
As long as you have immigration - cultural diversity
will exist.

But this raises another issue of course and that is
- the size of growing cities which tend to become
stressed with continued expansion. An effort should
be made to de-centralize the cities into existing
or new smaller towns.

So it's actually a serious proposal, Foxy?

My apologies - I thought you were too intelligent and educated to put forward such a preposterous proposal. However, as we can see, the racists and xenophobes will undoubtedly love it.

Foxy I know you are only joking but that does not sound like multiculturalism and the risks of regional secession would be high.

I would doubt that those emigrating to Australia want to live in towns that replicate the places they wish to leave.

The only way multi-culturalism works is with integration and adoption of uniform laws and regulations, or a common purpose (freedom, democracy etc).

But we know you are being tongue in cheek. :)

Foxy,

As others have pointed out there are inherent risks in such an idea. Cultural ideas and prejudices can become fossilised in such communities.

I recall many years ago that Italian immigrants were extremely strict with their daughters,
bringing their 'old world' ideas with them. To insist that a daughter be accompanied by a brother was not uncommon.

On returning to his beloved Italy years later, an Italian friend came back to Australia horrified, stating that Italy was not his Italy (of old) and that he would never return. So prevalent was this phenomenom that a study was made, the results being that immigrant groups feeling that they had to keep their culture alive, became static. In my friend's case he found that the Italy he remembered and loved had progressed with the times, absorbed new ideas. He and the Italian community in which he lived in Australia had become an anachronism.

Danielle,foxy

That is what has happened with Quebec in Canada. they have a country in a country. To formalise it would encourage disintegration of the country as an entity.

Israel is a toxic example of this. A lunatic minority has disproportionate power because of their balance of power position.

Having lived in the area I can say with confidence that Harndorf's German-ness is largely an profit oriented affectation these days. Very few of the merchant are of German extraction.

The Barossa Valley has more German influenced architecture than Harndorf. But many of the wineries are now corporately owned.

There are pockets of nationalities in Melbourne but they too move as the children grow up marry often outside their culture and move away. As they do but that doesn't mean cultural festival shouldn't happen or cultural clubs.

I would oppose the formalization of such towns ...I think Shadow is right they are Ghettos and as such I see more problems than benefits.

Dear Cambo,

South Africa was a totally different scenario.
There was no equality between the people and
it was forced segregation according to colour.

This is definitely not wht is being advocated in
this thread.

Dear CJ,

Continuing to think within the sphere never
escapes the pungent reality.

The most brilliant solutions often come out of the
most preposterous suggestions.

I'd be most interested in your thoughts.
Come on - play!

Dear Pelly,

This is merely a discussion - albeit possibly a
controversial one - but I thought - why not solicit
a whole gamit of ideas for solving some of the
existing problems (or not). I think it's always
interesting to discuss new topics - and not just
rehash - what's in the newspapers.

Why can't people create their own acceptable culture
in a new environment with regional influences?

Dear Danielle,

Cultural ideas and prejudices eventually change with
time in a new environment - if not with the older
generation - certainly with the younger. Because
people are exposed to different influences such as
politics, education, trade, travel, and so on.

I certainly can identify with the Italian who
travelled back to Italy - and found things had changed.
Many Lithuanians had the same problem when they travelled
back to their roots - after Lithuania re-gained her
Independence in 1990. Many were shocked at the changes.
It was a watershed moment for many. However, with time -
they are now building bridges and do value their communities
here in this country. Of course that's not to say they all
do - but many do.

Dear Examinator,

What is being proposed is to give like-minded people
the opportunity to live within their preferred community.
(Or not). It's a choice. I'm not advocating ghettos -
simply an alternative to what's currently available.

I've been to Quebec - and loved it!
We were made to feel very welcome - once
they discovered we spoke other languages.

Anyway, creative ideas come from lateral thinking.
And, as I told CJ - the most brilliant solutions come
out of the most preposterous suggestions...

Further thoughts?