A new report 'So You Think You're Multicultural?' provides a unique picture of attitudes to, and experiences of, multiculturalism across Britain. It draws on three pieces of original research commissioned by VSO, which reveals that the majority of the UK public are not connecting with other cultures and they don't see that this is a problem.

The report goes on to provide an in-depth picture of the views and experiences of urban professionals towards other cultures and it draws on the experience of VSO volunteers, who live and work in a developing country for two years, to identify the ways in which people can connect more effectively with other cultures.

"Certainly, Britain is at a turning point. It may either become narrow, inward looking and riven by rifts between communities, or it can achieve cultural breakthrough, becoming a genuinely multicultural society that is strongly united and celebrates diversity. Which direction will Britain take?". This report argues that the ability of individuals to make personal connections with different cultures is crucial if society is to change overall and to avert future conflicts and crises.

Those interviewed for case studies include renowned musician Nitin Sawhney, Lord Navnit Dholakia, journalist & presenter Martin Bashir, presenter George Alagiah, actress and author Meera Syal, comedienne Shazia Mirza and Lord Bhiku Parekh - some of their personal perspectives are available below and on the VSO site.

The researchers interviewed 1,001 adults (aged 18 and over) in December 2002. 90-minute focus research groups were also conducted, with postal questionnaires being emailed to serving VSO staff.

Key findings include:

• 77% of those asked agree that different cultures coexist but do not connect.
• 52% feel that it is easier to live in a cultural ghetto, isolated from those who seem different.
• only 13% said they wanted increased contact with other cultures. In contrast, former VSO volunteers have a thirst for more contact with people from different cultures and feel more confident about engaging with them as a result of their experience overseas.

Findings among volunteers include:

• 64 per cent would like to have more contact with other cultures.
• 91 per cent feel they now have a more in-depth understanding of different cultures.
• 88 per cent agree they are more open to people from different cultural backgrounds.
• 92 per cent agree they are more confident about engaging with them

The report further suggest three ways to connect with different cultures.

3 WAYS TO CONNECT WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES

1. Find the time: Break out of your cultural ghetto. Put yourself in a position where you are in a cultural minority and engage with other people, new ideas and different perspectives.
2. Expand your horizons: join and organisation, society of evening class with a cultural focus - whether it is foreign films, languages, music, art or politics. Seek our cultural and community events (festivals, concerts, fairs etc.).
3. Immerse yourself: offer your skills to a local organisation, take part in a community project or consider VSO.

The 'So You Think You're Multicultural?' report is rooted in VSO's experience of cultural exchange. The VSO is an international development agency that works through volunteers. Volunteers are recruited from many different countries, though bases in the UK, Kenya, Philippines, Canada and the Netherlands, and spend two years living and working alongside colleagues and communities in developing countries to help build a fairer world.

Download the 'So You Think You're Multicultural' report (, 223kb).
Download all the essays on Multiculturalism. ( 618Kb )
Download essay by George Alagiah. ( 35KB )
Download essay by Lord Bhiku Parekh. ( 48KB )
Download essay by Shazia Mirza.( 59KB )
Download essay by Meera Syal. ( 86KB )
Download essay by Nitin Sawhney.( 44KB )
Click here to visit the 'Cultural Breakthrough' website.
Click here to visit the VSO website.

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