‘I Was Part of Minority Group’: Youth’s Attitude Towards Multiculturalism and Their Awareness of Being an Intercultural Citizen

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the Indonesian youth’s attitude towards multiculturalism and their awareness of being an intercultural citizen. The research methodology adopted a qualitative method with a questionnaire as the research instrument. The Indonesian youth come from varied backgrounds. Thematically, the data were analysed based on race, ethnic, religious and other cultural issues particularly attitudes towards multicultural state, diversity and awareness of being an intercultural citizen. The findings provided that the youths’ attitudes are quite varied and tend to have a positive attitude towards a broad concept of multiculturalism, whilst when the concept provides real-life cases, there is a possibility for them to respond negatively. The youths also have significant awareness in responding to the idea of coexisting in diversity, however, there is a possibility to reject the concept of intercultural citizen and have a positive attitude towards a multicultural state at the same time. Thus, some factors might affect youth’s attitudes towards multiculturalism which are colonial legacy, political situation, deeply embedded concept of native inhabitants and socio-religious issues. Ultimately, the backgrounds of the youth need to be considered as those have a big influence on the way they see and define both concepts.