Nederveen Pieterse (2004, p. 16) defines
globalisation as “an objective, empirical process of increasing economic and
political connectivity, an subjective process unfolding in consciousness as the
collective awareness of growing global interconnectedness”.
The former process could include flow of
people, goods and information between states and the latter may involves
psychological effects on people’s minds caused by social and cultural interaction. People are naturally encouraged to learn
about other countries, different values and beliefs in globalising world and it
appear as awareness of interconnectedness in people’s minds.
Do you think that the awareness of global interconnectedness
influenced how religious beliefs should be respected in Australia and other
parts of the world?
In 2010, The
University of Western Australia (UWA) announced that they would take part in
Religion and Globalisation initiative which examines
the impact of religion on
the world with other research
universities in the world. (UWA 2010).
“Add to the opportunity to learn and explore
what is shared and what is different in values, beliefs and philosophies and
you have a very rich educational experience. This is globalisation at its best.”
(UWA 2010).
This might imply that the impact of religion
was not explored and researched profoundly in academic fields prior to 2010 in
Australia. Different religious beliefs
might be welcomed in only such as community groups and entertainment field. However, 2010 seems to be late to launch that
kind of initiatives as globalisation is not a new phenomenon and Australia is
originally an immigrant country.
References:
Nederveen Pieterse, J 2004, ‘Globalization:
consensus and controversies’, Globalization and culture: global mélange, Rowan &
Littlefield, Lanham, Md., pp. 7–21.
The University of Western Australia, 2010, ‘UWA
establishes religion and globalisation initiative’, retrieved 16 July,
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