Introduction
Beliefs, values and practices are the terms used to describe the things that we do, the things that we care about, and what we choose to
believe. Often these things are influenced by the group or groups that we belong to.
believe. Often these things are influenced by the group or groups that we belong to.
Differences
We know that there are many different groups of people in Australia, and that each group has it’s own beliefs, values and practices. But what happens when one group’s beliefs values and practices are so different from another groups beliefs, values and practices that they don’t always get along?
This sometimes happens in Australia and results in what is called an issue.
This sometimes happens in Australia and results in what is called an issue.
Issues
Throughout Australia’s history different cultural groups have had conflicts because their beliefs, values and practices are different. Here are three major examples:
The Indigenous people of Australia had been living here for 60,000 years before Europeans first discovered this land. Indigenous people believed that they had a deep connection with the land, they cared for it and believed that in return it cared for them. They didn’t build houses or roads, instead they moved around from place to place. Europeans at the time had very different beliefs, values and practices. When they arrived in Australia and saw that the Indigenous people had not built towns and cities like they did, they assumed that the indigenous people were not using the land and they could claim it for themselves.
When gold was first discovered in Australia in the 1800s, many people rushed here from Asia in the hopes of making a better life for themselves and their families. Many European Australians, who had been in Australia for quite some time now, thought that the Asian immigrants were going to take all of their jobs and didn’t want them to move to Australia.
Today, Australia is one of the safest countries in the world. For this reason, many people flee their dangerous home-countries in the Middle East and Africa and seek the safety of Australia. Lots of Australians are not very happy about this because they think that these refugees eat, speak, think and dress too differently to fit into Australia
Activities
Brainstorm
What are your beliefs, values and practices?
Think about what you believe, what you care about, and what kind of things you do or like to do.
Think about what you believe, what you care about, and what kind of things you do or like to do.
Culture Chart
Use your Three-columned chart from the previous sections to compare and contrast the beliefs, values and practices of Indigenous Australians, European
Australians and Asian Australians.
What are the differences?
What are the similarities?
Australians and Asian Australians.
What are the differences?
What are the similarities?
Role Play
In small groups, select one of the three issues detailed above and:
• Identify the groups involved
• Compare and contrast the Beliefs, values and practices
of each (you might need to do some research)
• With your group, devise a solution for the issue in
which all groups involved are treated fairly. Write a
5 min roleplay to show the rest of the class your solution.
• Identify the groups involved
• Compare and contrast the Beliefs, values and practices
of each (you might need to do some research)
• With your group, devise a solution for the issue in
which all groups involved are treated fairly. Write a
5 min roleplay to show the rest of the class your solution.