KITA ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION - RACE RELATIONS: LESSONS FROM THE BRITISH-MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCE

The UKM Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) is organising the KITA Roundtable Discussion entitled “Race relations: Lessons from the British & Malaysian Experience in Fostering a Multi Ethnic & Religious Society” on June 18, 2009 from 9am to 1.30 pm at Hotel Equatorial, Jalan sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

This KITA Roundtable Discussion is a follow-up program to the KITA Public Forum on June 16, 2009 on the theme ‘Race Relations: The British Experience’ with guest speaker Prof Aneez Esmail from University of Manchester University.

The aim of the RTD is to discuss in an in-depth and analytical way the learning of lessons from the British & Malaysian experiences in fostering a multi ethnic and religious society. We recognize that there are similarities and differences in the two countries.

At the same time both countries are seeking to foster a multi ethnic and multi religious society so that there is a great appreciation and understanding among the various people groups in these countries. Governments in both countries have adopted certain public policy options in the way matters pertaining to equal opportunities for dominant and minority communities.

What is important through this Round Table Discussion is to draw out lessons and implications from both models in order for us to learn from these experiences in policy formulation, legislative formulation, access through service delivery and inclusion through participation in political action and decision making.

Some critical review is also essential for us as we must reflect on some difficult matters such as:

Has Britain been effective in addressing race relations issues through legislation and inquiry commissions? What is the value of a legislative approach when prejudice is at the root of the problem and would not a more soft approach be more appropriate? Can Britain learn from the Malaysian experience?

Has Malaysia come to a political stage where political arrangement needs some rethink especially in adopting a non racial and non religious approach to politics in order for all communities to feel part of Malaysia? Can Malaysians learn from British political parties and style of democracy? Would the Malaysian dominant and minority communities feel secure in moving beyond racial politics?

What role does the private sector play in fostering ethnic relations and understanding in the workplace or in relating to service users and consumers? Are there lessons from both Britain and Malaysia in this context where the markets necessitate an appreciation of diversity? Could diversity be a marketable community enriching society as a whole?

We have invited Prof Aneez Esmail who will provide an in-depth reflection and analysis on this theme from a British experience. He is Professor of General Practice and the Associate Vice-President for Equality and Diversity at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Prof Aneez has been fighting racism and championing equality in the UK

The Malaysian reflections and lessons will be presented by Associate Professor Dr Ong Puay Liu, who is the Deputy Director of the UKM Institute of Ethnic Studies. Her research focus is on ethnic studies and the anthropology of development. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh, UK

We have invited a number of others to provide their thoughts on this theme and there is ample time for all the invited participants to provide their input, reflections and analysis.