Multicultural Society as a Challenge for Coexistence in Europe

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show that the intercultural way of education, which includes the interreligious dimension, is a fundamental way to create and maintain conditions for coexistence in a multicultural society. The background of this claim is represented in the belief that the starting point of every encounter with the other and the different should be the human being and its experience of humanity, not an intellectual polemic about doctrines and ideologies. Schools are particularly suitable for such a more personal manner of dialogue. The topic is discussed primarily in a philosophical way from a Christian (Catholic) perspective. The context of reflection is the European society marked by Christianity, secularization and, increasingly, Islam. Croatia is also mentioned, as the issue of multiculturality is becoming increasingly topical there. The context of cultural pluralism is presented first. Then, the necessity of dialogue based on the experience of everyday life is highlighted. The next section is focused on the analysis of the multicultural society’s need for values that are acceptable for all members of society in order to maintain social peace and mutual respect and cooperation. The following chapter deals with the difficulties and challenges of dialogue. Then, the section after that presents an analysis of the fundamental European documents that provide crucial guidelines for understanding religious and cultural pluralism and the role of religions in a multicultural and multireligious society as values on which society should be built. Finally, the place and role of religious education is discussed as a vital and unavoidable factor in co-creating the preconditions for appropriate coexistence in a multicultural society.

Intercultural Communication and Community Participation in Local Governance: the EU Experience

“…The strategies and concepts the author analyzed have been tested at the level of local governance and showed a high level of involvement of different population groups in decision-making by the government agencies. In this context, the objective of policy is to create basic values that are acceptable to all parties, but they must have sufficient potential for quality coexistence (Malović and Vujica, 2021). The low participation of local communities in public policy is a poor reflection of general democracy and a signal that local authorities need to pay more attention to local communities so that they can restore trust in them, and develop an active citizen with democratic values (Vejseli and Kamberi, 2021).…”

“…The author quite accurately revealed the network of inclusion based on cities in a multicultural world. The work of Malović and Vujica (2021) entitled Multicultural Society as a Challenge for Coexistence in Europe also had a decisive influence on the formation of the author's position on the research topic.…”

Intervention Program to Reduce Religious Prejudice in Education Settings: A Scoping Review

“…Prejudice and education are inextricably linked because they both deal with the most basic component of human behavior: learning to coexist (Hughes 2017). Education is viewed as critical in decreasing prejudice, developing mutual understanding, and strengthening social cohesiveness (Banks and Banks 2016;Gill 2016;Mayhew and Rockenbach 2021;Raihani 2018;Rockenbach et al 2015;Ubani et al 2020;Malović and Vujica 2021).…”

Interrelated values between Bhineka Tunggal Ika and religious moderation to strengthen pluralism in Indonesia

“…This should be facilitated by the presence of the concept of religious moderation. Besides that, an analysis of one of Europe's fundamental documents provides an important guideline for understanding that religious and cultural pluralism and the role of religion in a multicultural and multireligious society are values that must be built-in society (Malović & Vujica, 2021). The role of religious education and multicultural education is ultimately a vital and unavoidable factor in creating the prerequisites for proper coexistence in a multicultural society.…”