Cultural Diversity Research Articles

A CONSTRUÇÃO DA IDENTIDADE CULTURAL NA ERA DIGITAL

The construction of cultural identity in the digital era is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, driven by technological advancement and globalization. The internet and social networks, as the main contemporary communication vehicles, play a central role in the formation of cultural identities, promoting interaction between people of different cultures and values. In this scenario, cultural identity is no longer static or limited to a geographic space, but becomes fluid, shaped by diverse experiences, including online and offline interactions. The digital age offers unlimited possibilities for cultural expression and recognition, allowing individuals and groups to share their traditions, beliefs and customs with a global audience. At the same time, this constant exposure to different cultures can generate tension between the preservation of local identities and the influence of a dominant global culture. Furthermore, cultural identity in the digital age is often negotiated, where individuals and communities choose which aspects of their culture they want to emphasize or adapt. However, this transformation can also generate challenges, such as cultural homogenization or the risk of cultural appropriation. Therefore, the construction of cultural identity in the digital age is a complex process that involves both the strengthening and transformation of cultural traditions. New digital platforms allow for greater democratization of cultural discourse, but they also pose challenges that need to be recognized and discussed, especially in relation to the preservation of cultural diversity.

Employee Relations in Culturally Diverse Workplaces: A Strategic HR Perspective

This study investigates the intricacies of workforce relationships in culturally diverse organizations, highlighting the crucial function of Human Resources (HR) in creating an environment that is both welcoming and cohesive. By analysing secondary sources including academic publications, industry analyses, and practical examples, the research identifies primary obstacles and assesses successful HR tactics that boost employee contentment, reduce turnover, and enhance organizational efficiency. The results underscore the significance of intercultural education, all-encompassing policies, and culturally adept management in handling diversity. This investigation offers practical guidance for HR experts seeking to address the challenges of cultural diversity and sustain positive workforce relationships in an increasingly global business environment.

Sociocultural and Historical Perspectives on Diversity in Spain

The image of Spain in the 21st century is defined by the coexistence of the descendants of different peoples who have arrived in the region over the past centuries and decades. Since prehistoric times, the history of the Iberian Peninsula has been marked by interactions between the groups that settled there; sometimes these relationships have involved a certain type of subordination and domination (for example, conqueror versus conquered), and at other times they have been characterised by the peaceful or conflictual coexistence of different societies. Thus, immigration, coexistence and assimilation have always been fundamental to the social and cultural life of Spain. To this day, cultural historians and philosophers have not been able to agree on whether the diversity of society has been an advantage or a disadvantage for the development of Spain. In this article, I will examine the approaches to this social and cultural diversity in different historical periods and the basic arguments used by scholars and scientists to support their beliefs. In analysing the issue, we look at prominent works and authors in Spanish cultural history, searching for and comparing possible arguments. We try to answer the question to what extent the search for homogeneity or diversity has been part of the Spanish self-definition in a given historical period.

Digital storytelling as a tool for global citizenship and sustainability

In this study, we explore the transformative impact of digital storytelling in education, with a focus on promoting global citizenship and sustainability awareness among students. We examine how digital storytelling platforms can enhance traditional literary curricula by fostering deeper cross-cultural understanding and engaging students with global sustainability challenges. We evaluate the effectiveness of digital narratives in increasing student engagement with literature while cultivating a sense of global responsibility and environmental stewardship. By enabling students to connect with diverse cultures and global issues through immersive and interactive storytelling, the research highlights the role of innovative educational strategies in aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The findings provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to leverage digital technologies in fostering a globally aware and responsible generation, ultimately contributing to the discourse on the integration of technology in education.

How U.S. social work students are prepared to work with culturally diverse individuals: A scoping review of constructs and interventions

ABSTRACT Globalization exerts its influence on every nation and impacts all members of society, whether through direct or indirect means. Now more than ever, U.S. social workers must implement cultural competence, cultural humility, cultural awareness, and other similar constructs while working with culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities to ensure effective and culturally responsive practice. The Council on Social Work Education directs social work programs to teach students these invaluable constructs. However, it remains unclear which construct is most effective and how it is regularly measured, how these constructs are taught, and once they are taught, if knowledge is gained and applied directly in the field. This scoping review analyzed literature from 2012–2022 to determine how U.S.-based social work students are equipped to work with culturally diverse individuals. Findings indicate that diverse constructs exist but often lack a clear definition and similar constructs are measured inconsistently, with many studies utilizing unvalidated measures. The literature also points to a myriad of interventions aimed at helping social work students glean the necessary knowledge and skills to work within cultural diversity, including mostly U.S.-based learning opportunities, international opportunities, and a combination of the two.

Classification of Banjarese Hulu and Kuala Dialects in Banjarese Prose Texts

This research focuses on classifying the Hulu and Kuala Banjarese dialects in the prose text “Datu Kandangan and Datu Kartamina”. These dialects represent linguistic variations resulting from geographical, social, and cultural differences among language communities, particularly in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Language analysis methods such as Python Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK), NumPy, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) Visualization (LyLDAvis) were employed to classify the dialects, involving data preprocessing steps like tokenization, punctuation removal, stop word normalization, and stemming. The research findings reveal the superiority of the "Naive Bayes" method over the "Boolean Query," achieving high accuracy in identifying positive examples and classifying texts into Upper and Lower Banjar dialects. The "Naive Bayes" method outperforms the "Boolean Query" with precision and recall values of 0.955563 and 0.956098, while the "Boolean Query" only reaches 0.021416 and 0.146341. This study makes a significant scholarly contribution to understanding language and cultural diversity in South Kalimantan, opening opportunities for further exploration in developing Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology for Indonesian regional languages.

Inclusion of Children with a Background of Migration into Greek Kindergartens Via Physical Education: Development of Emotional Skills

Cultural diversity in schools enriches the learning environment by exposing students to different perspectives, traditions, and worldviews. However, ensuring inclusion can be challenging as educators must navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and potential biases. Enhancing emotional skills through a physical education program is a powerful way to promote inclusion among students.

What’s Hot in Literacy: Misguided Trends in a Divided Field

ABSTRACT The annual What’s Hot in Literacy survey identifies current priorities in literacy education, highlighting the evolving landscape of the field. A panel of twenty-five literacy leaders participate in interviews to identify the most emphasized, least emphasized, and most deserving topics of increased attention. The 2024 findings highlight three topics as “extremely hot:” banned books, phonics/phonemic awareness, and the science of reading and structured literacy. There are also six topics found to be “very hot,” including artificial intelligence in literacy, cultural and linguistic diversity and literacy for multilingual learners, dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities, early literacy, high-quality instructional materials, and social justice/equity/anti-racism in literacy. Overall, the literacy field has received unprecedented focus this year, driven by legislative mandates in 38 states, policies on the science of reading, book banning, and discussions on essential early literacy skills for long-term academic and career success. This article examines the highlighted topics and the possibility that some of these are misguided trends. Additionally, it addresses the ongoing division within the literacy field, between advocates of content-focused and child-focused approaches to teaching and learning.

Balancing Beliefs: An Analysis Concerning Article 25, Secularism And The Search For A Common Civil Code.

This article gives instances of the difficulties that can accrue when implementing a Uniform Civil Code in country like India due to language, religion, culture differences. The views on the matter specially in relation to secularism to personal laws and the conception of vital religious activities also find their articulation through the Constitution of India. Moreover, the paper underlines the fact that, while the creation of the political community is a reasonable cause, this cannot be done at the same rate as the destruction of the Indian culture and social-economic diversities. Exploring the theme of gender justice in personal laws the text is aimed at providing cases of the certain legislation which have been recognized as violating women’s rights.

The Adverse Effect of Dehumanizing Practices on Student Engagement and Learning in English Language Teaching Classroom

Knowingly or unknowingly, forgetting our multilingual and multicultural scenario, teachers’ behaviors may create social inequalities and injustices in the classroom; in the name of the dominant language of the school and power relation. Our classroom context is multilingual, multicultural and bilingual where students come from different economic and linguistic background. To some extent, our school system, including textbooks, instruction, curriculum, teaching practices seem to have influenced by the dominant ‘English/Nepali only’ approach. Furthermore, some teachers may not motivate minority students looking their low economic status, uncombed hair, roughly managed shirt-paint, unpolished shoes and low proficiency in English language. In this context, this paper aims to analyze the difficulties and struggle of demotivated (due to teachers’ bias behaviors and friends’ insult upon their appearance and language) Nepali language speaking children’s experiences as they feel insulted in school environment. To fulfill this objective, I adopted narrative research design in line with the qualitative research method. Discussing on the basis of classroom observation and unstructured interviews with the student, this paper analyzes that how the learners are marginalized and forbidden equal access to participate in the mainstream of social and political life that enhances their better learning opportunity and participation in classroom and society to what Bourdieu’s word symbolic violence with some examples of how such social inequalities and injustices are seen in school’s teaching-learning practices. Specially, given the problematic nature of schooling for such learners in some of the schools in Nepal, this paper highlights the need for socially responsive school policies and critical pedagogy, aiming at challenging and changing certain practices having identified a problem; originally propounded by Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator; understanding the difficulties of living in poverty, local context entertaining the linguistic and cultural diversity of students. This study contributes to all the educational stakeholders to update and change themselves as human- friendly behaviours with the learners that can maintain social equalities and justice.

Urban Sustainability in the Age of Digital Nomads - Diverse Group Impacts

Digital nomads are a whole new group of people empowered by digital information technology, and although they have a subtle impact on urban change, little attention has been paid to the impact on different urban groups with the influx of digital nomads. The aim of this paper is to examine how the increase in the number of digital nomads in recent years has affected different urban groups in the context of the broader goal of sustainable urban development. The case study comes from the Digital Nomad Commune in Anji, China, and through the literature research method, the urban groups are divided into: digital nomads, profit-driven locals and negatively affected locals, analyzing the various phenomena presented by different groups of people, such as the promotion of local economic development, cultural exchange and cultural diversity by the emergence of digital nomads, the pressure on the price of goods in the neighbouring towns and the irreversible negative impacts on the ecological environment, as well as proposing the strategies for the future construction of the city. It suggests how to build digital nomad-friendly cities from the economic, ecological and social perspectives.

A framework to assess the effectiveness index (EI) of the Indian SMEs to integrate lean and sustainability through combined fuzzy logic and systems approach

PurposeTo become a sustainable lean manufacturing (LM) system, an organization must be first distinctly cognizant of the terms “lean” and “sustainability” as they relate to the state of affairs of their particular industry and business. Next, the organization must identify and acquire the necessary qualities it needs to become sustainable in lean philosophy and its practices in the organization. The LM paradigm has been a top priority for many businesses; thus, this article is based on actual research done in Indian small and medium scale organizations to see how widely it is understood and implemented.Design/methodology/approachA framework was developed based on literature review and academic research. A preliminary analysis of a small number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that, conceptually, summarizes and demonstrates the concerted efforts that a company may undertake to increase its leanness. This conceptual model was employed to create a questionnaire that was administered to survey the SMEs of India. The information gathered through this questionnaire was analyzed using the model developed by the researchers. Then fuzzy logic and systems approach were used to find out the effectiveness index (EI) of the organization.FindingsThe EI for system leanness at different organizational levels within an organization is determined using fuzzy logic and systems approach for 48 SMEs in different clusters. The average EI of the system was found to be 0.336 on a scale of 0–1 which indicates that the current state of lean implementation and its sustainability is very low and poor in Indian SMEs. This article outlines the key model components and describes how they were applied to analyze the data gathered from an industry study.Research limitations/implicationsThe research aims to make lean continuously sustainable by surfacing and eliminating the wastes in the Indian SMEs whenever it appears rather than using it as a cleaning tool. The present study was focused on India’s southern industrial areas and it was difficult to gather the information around the country due to its diverse industrial culture and geography. Hence, more research and the comparative study of the same that takes into account the various regions of the nation’s industrial lean behavior can be conducted.Practical implicationsThe generalized sustainable lean framework analyzed using fuzzy logic and systems approach gives the current effectiveness of the leanness in SMEs of south India. This model can be effectively implemented in other areas of the nation to identify the scenario of lean and its sustainability and a final comprehensive model can be developed.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of comprehensive studies on the assessment of sustainability of the lean philosophy in Indian SMEs. With the help of combined fuzzy logic and systems approach, the model developed in this study evaluates the sustainability of the lean methodology using the EI used in SMEs by taking into account both the lean and sustainability factors as well as enablers like customer satisfaction, ethics, innovation and technology.

Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem service bundles and the driving factors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Defining a multi-service spatial pattern and ecosystem packages is the key to ensuring regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ecosystem service bundles can effectively discern the interactions among multiple services and regionalize ecological functional zones. Aiming at a range of environmental and ecological challenges in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, such as water scarcity, soil erosion, land degradation, poor forest and grassland quality, and shrinking agricultural land, the spatial pattern and driving forces of eight crux ecosystem services, including product supply, soil conservation, water conservation, carbon storage, sand fixation, environment purification, biological diversity and recreation culture, were analyzed by combining multiple model algorithms. Additionally, spatial system clustering was employed to identify ecosystem services bundles and optimize the ecological functional zoning. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity of the eight ecosystem services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High product supply concentrated in plain regions, while the rest seven ecosystem services were dominant in in mountainous areas. The region can be classified into four service bundles: ecological conservation service (ECS), ecological restoration service (ERS), product supply service (PSS) and ecological fragile service (EFS). ECS and ERS are dominated by regulating and supporting services, which are primarily driven by climatic factors and NDVI. ERS exhibits relatively low service level and is the crucial area for future ecological restoration. PSS is dominated by food supply, with land use change being the primary driving force. At present, with the rapid urbanization, various ecosystem services provided by EFS is inadequate. In the future, urban ecological construction should be strengthened to enhance regional ecosystem services capabilities.

Seguridad Nacional y Construcción del Estado-Nación: El Rol del Centro de Altos Estudios Nacionales en la Historia Contemporánea del Perú

This article aims to analyze and highlight the contributions of the Centro de Altos Estudios Nacionales (CAEN) in the construction of the nation state and the consolidation of national security in Peru. It addresses the growth of the institution from its founding as the Centro de Altos Estudios Militares (CAEM) to its transformation into CAEN, and explores its roles and achievements in the context of the Peruvian reality. To do so, a methodology based on a documentary review of historical and academic sources has been used, analyzing how philosophical and political theories have influenced its development; in addition, a multidisciplinary perspective has been incorporated to understand the relationship between development and security in the Peruvian context. It is concluded that this institution has played a central role in the training of military and civilian leaders capable of facing the challenges of national security from a comprehensive perspective. Its contributions have been significant in terms of socioeconomic development and in the creation of public policies oriented towards equity and social inclusion, since the strategic approach and reforms promoted by the CAEN have contributed to a vision of Peru as an integral entity, which considers its diverse populations, cultures and problems.

Managerial Strategy Facing the Challenges of Globalisation and the Digital Era

This study aims to analyse the various challenges faced by Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers at Junior High School (SMPN) 3 Palembang in the era of globalisation and to identify managerial innovations that can be applied to improve the quality of Islamic religious education. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study type at SMP Negeri 3 Palembang. Data was collected by interviewing teachers and principals, observing how schools implement managerial strategies, and documenting the Learning Implementation Plan, training reports, policies, and student learning outcome data. Data validity testing with triangulation of sources and methods. Qualitative data analysis using Miles and Huberman. The results of the study show that the challenges faced by SMP Negeri 3 Palembang include challenges in the use of technology, challenges in teacher competence, and challenges in diversity. Managerial strategies begin with planning with technology training, developing teacher intrapersonal skills, and developing a progressive curriculum. Organisation with collaboration between the treasurer, school committee, and parents of students for technology development, curriculum deputy for development of teacher intrapersonal competence, and curriculum team with Islamic Religious Education teachers for integration of multicultural values. Implementing technology integration in learning, training for teacher competency development, and integrating multicultural values ​​in learning. Control with evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of learning media, evaluation of the application of learning models for teacher competency and evaluation of multicultural values ​​in teaching. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impact of technology training and multicultural values ​​on student development and evaluate the effectiveness of new teaching methods in the context of cultural diversity in other schools.

Exploring the Readiness of the Hospitality Industries in Sorsogon City for Halal Tourism

This study utilized a mixed method research design to evaluate the readiness of hospitality industries in Sorsogon City for halal tourism. Hotel owners, managers, and staff from 14 DOT-accredited establishments served as primary respondents. The research assessed the hospitality industry’s preparedness to cater to the growing Muslim tourist market. It examined stakeholders’ awareness of halal principles, focusing on food, amenities, and facilities. Challenges and strategies for halal tourism adoption were also explored. Findings revealed a fair level of readiness among hotel owners in providing halal food and alcohol- free environments, but a lower capacity to offer diverse halal amenities and facilities. Hotel staff demonstrated fair readiness in accommodating Muslim guests. Key challenges included infrastructure limitations, staff training needs, and operational complexities. Based on these findings, an action plan for promoting halal tourism in Sorsogon City was developed. This study contributes to fostering inclusivity and cultural diversity within the Philippine tourism industry.

AI for chemistry teaching: responsible AI and ethical considerations

Abstract This paper discusses the ethical considerations surrounding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in chemistry education, aiming to guide teachers toward responsible AI integration. GenAI, driven by advanced AI models like Large Language Models, has shown substantial potential in generating educational content. However, this technology’s rapid rise has brought forth ethical concerns regarding general and educational use that require careful attention from educators. The UNESCO framework on GenAI in education provides a comprehensive guide to controversies around generative AI and ethical educational considerations, emphasizing human agency, inclusion, equity, and cultural diversity. Ethical issues include digital poverty, lack of national regulatory adaptation, use of content without consent, unexplainable models used to generate outputs, AI-generated content polluting the internet, lack of understanding of the real world, reducing diversity of opinions, and further marginalizing already marginalized voices and generating deep fakes. The paper delves into these eight controversies, presenting relevant examples from chemistry education to stress the need to evaluate AI-generated content critically. The paper emphasizes the importance of relating these considerations to chemistry teachers’ content and pedagogical knowledge and argues that responsible AI usage in education must integrate these insights to prevent the propagation of biases and inaccuracies. The conclusion stresses the necessity for comprehensive teacher training to effectively and ethically employ GenAI in educational practices.

Re-framing Pacific education, teacher knowledge and practice: innovations from within Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT In many countries including Aotearoa New Zealand, rapidly changing population demographics have led to increasing cultural diversity in classrooms. Developing equitable outcomes for diverse learners including those from indigenous and migrant heritage requires educators to both respect cultural diversity and enact intercultural understanding and capability. This has implications for both pre-service and in-service teacher education and more broadly educational policy. In this article, we draw on examples from New Zealand of shifts in Pacific education policy and practice related to teacher education. We track policy development over the past three decades that originated from concerns about inequity for Pacific students in schooling to more recent policy initiatives that engage deeply with Pacific learners, families, and communities. We illustrate the shifts in educational policy and teacher education by using three cases of the Pacific led initiatives to exemplify the reframing of Pacific education, teacher knowledge, and practice, by listening to and privileging the voices of Pacific people. We argue that to address equitable education for diverse student communities, teacher education needs explicitly to recognise and acknowledge structural inequities and racism inherent in education systems while providing opportunities for reflection and deep learning about differing knowledge systems and ways of being.

Digital Pedagogical Approaches for Preparing South African Matric Teachers for Higher Education

South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are undergoing a digital revolution, facing challenges from social, historical, and cultural diversity and low schooling backgrounds. Incorporating digital technology into teaching and learning has become essential, yet a notable digital divide persists. Students with Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills perform better in higher education compared to those from resource-restrained or marginalized communities, such as Pinetown, Durban, South Africa. This research aims to equip learners and teachers in South Africa to adapt to the rapid pace of technological change while examining the pedagogical approaches of matric teachers in digitally preparing matric learners for HEIs. A quantitative research approach was utilized to collect primary data from a sample of 363 teachers across 25 high schools in Pinetown, selected based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) methodology, ensuring an appropriate representation for the population of 1,300. A high response rate was achieved, facilitated by a pilot phase that clarified the research subject for participants. In addition to primary data, relevant secondary literature was also utilized. The findings revealed that a majority of teachers prefer problem-based and project-based pedagogical approaches and acknowledge the benefits of an online learning environment. These results indicate that most teachers are capable of digitally preparing matric students for higher education. Therefore, problem-based and project-based teaching and learning approaches should be emphasized in the field of digital technology. It is also recommended that teachers and lecturers in HEIs utilize online platforms to enhance the curriculum. Keywords: Digital pedagogy, Higher Education, Digital divide, ICT skills, South African education, Problem-based learning, Project-based learning

‘We are not simply Indians’: Intersecting ethnic identity diversity among the Chinese communities of Kolkata

Kolkata, known for its cultural diversity, reflects the inequalities of its informal sector, reminiscent of a feudal system. The city is home to various foreign communities, including Armenians, Jews, Parsis, and particularly the Chinese. Historically, Kolkata saw a significant influx of Chinese immigrants, followed by phases of exclusion. Despite challenges, the Chinese community has thrived for over two decades, contributing to the city’s cultural richness. This research explores how Chinese individuals in Kolkata, unfamiliar with local social structures, perceive and categorize others, defining their ethnic identity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the study finds that many Chinese in Kolkata identify as Indian-Chinese or Chinese-Indians. The community’s evolving belief systems reflect their ongoing search for a cultural identity. Through this exploration, they work to define their core values and roles within society, constantly adapting to the cultural landscape of Kolkata.