Being good neighbours to peoples who live in our geographic region, and responsible global citizens
In a public lecture in 2000 eminent Australian, General Peter Cosgrove said, 'Good neighbours learn to speak each other's languages ... Good neighbours learn to respect each other's religious and cultural beliefs. Good neighbours learn to allow for differences and to be inclusive. Good neighbours spend time with each other. Good neighbours understand that contentious issues should be resolved though negotiation.
These comments effectively express our regional responsibilities. Young people also need to be prepared for the realities of global citizenship and to develop the intercultural understandings which will equip them for these developments.
Maintaining social harmony
Today, 23% of Australians were born overseas, and about 5% of these in Asia; 800,000 Australians speak an Asian language at home. Our schools include teachers, and many students and parents from Asian backgrounds. To nourish community harmony while maximising the benefits and opportunities to be derived from cultural diversity, our schools must assist young people to develop an awareness of the diverse histories, values and beliefs of Asian societies and of other countries that will continue to impact on Australia's identity and our future.
Enriching cultural life
Philosophies, belief systems, aesthetics, medicines, technologies, arts, literature, languages, cuisine, sports and popular culture originating from the diverse cultures of the Asian region enrich our lives and expand our intellectual and creative horizons. Both within Australia and internationally, this cultural enrichment is making a vital contribution to what it means to be Australian today.
Generating continued prosperity
Over half of Australia's two-way trade is with Asia. It is anticipated that China will be our largest trading partner by 2010. Trade agreements will stimulate substantial increases in trade with key Asian markets as China, India and Japan join the United States as the world's four biggest economies by 2020.
Asia represents a market of more than three billion people. Increased education and affluence in its countries mean new competing business and workforce capacity globally. Australian business points out that wherever Australians live and work, within Australia or internationally, they will increasingly experience a multinational, multicultural and multifaith setting. Cross-cultural communication skills and understandings, including languages, are growing rapidly in importance.
