Multikulturell utdanning i et etnisk delt samfunn: - En studie av et pilotprosjekt i Kroatia

Abstract

Dealing with diversity can be challenging. During the last decades the world has seen an increasing number of conflicts marked by ethnical demarcation lines. This study deals with multicultural education in an ethnically divided society. Education might have an important role in building sustainable peace in the wake of war. According to Tony Gallagher "The central dilemma for education in divided societies lies in the way it engages with difference". However, more empirical research in the field of peace education is needed to develop theoretically grounded frameworks to support tailored approaches to education in different sociopolitical contexts. My research is based on a case study of a pilot project in Eastern Slavonia, Croatia. The subject "Cultural and Spiritual Heritage in the Region" is implemented in three schools, and aims at developing competence among the students to deal with diversity. The interviews of nine practitioners on their experiences of the subject, gives an insight into the empirical side of the field and lays the foundation for a descriptive analysis of the project. The thesis identifies six key points on how the subject can educate, not only for multicultural competence, but also how to deal with ethnical division in a post-conflict society. The key points include content considerations, and regards to historic concerns, societal framework, and the aspect of time. Furthermore, the importance of adaptive capacity, as well as the subject being a direct or indirect arena for contact across ethnical and cultural divides, is discussed.