Cultural Diversity and Multiculural Societies

Cultural diversity and multicultural societies

In Collaboration withUnited Nations Mission In Sudan

symposiumfebruary 25 2010

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Goethe Institut - SUDAN

symposium �5 february �010

FORWARDIn 2009 the Goethe-Institut Sudan together with UNMIS Communications and Public

Information Office agreed on an initiative to create a forum whereby academics and political decision makers could debate and highlight issues on the cultural diversity and multicultural societies which incorporates the rich traditions of so many different ethnic groups and tribes in Sudan. Considering this diversity in cultural heritage, languages and social structures, multiculturalism thus seemed to be a natural focal point for commencing academic debate on cultural diversity in Sudan.

For the Goethe-Institut a modern definition of ‘culture’ must go far beyond just the arts. On the one hand cultural diversity can be clearly enriching in the fields of music, performance and visual arts, on the other hand it becomes a challenge when different cultures interact on levels above their own cultural sphere, trying to create a balance of interest. The discussion of respective social scientific concepts and current research in this field aims at initiating a debate, which avoids stereotypes and prejudices.

In November 2009 an expert roundtable was held to discuss theories of multiculturalism, their impacts on politics and how to apply these concepts to the complex situation in Sudan. In February 2010 the findings of the expert roundtable were presented to the public by a panel, consisting of key speakers of the previous event and high ranking representatives of Sudanese research centres. The presentation was followed by a questions and answers session which prompted a number of thought provoking issues to the surface on multiculturalism in run up to Sudan’s referendum. It is our hope this contribution could form the basis on which further open dialogue on the many facets of Sudan’s diverse multicultural society could be encouraged to continue. While neither UNMIS nor Goethe Institut endorse any of the views, statements or recommendations included in this document, we do believe it represents a fair assessment of contributions to the roundtable from representatives of a cross section of the Sudanese populace.

Goethe-Institut Sudan and UNMIS Public Information Office would like to thank all the participants, especially the presenters of papers, - Professor. Abdel Ghaffar Mohamed Ahmed, Dr. Altayib Haj Attya, Dr. Idris Salim and Dr. Nour Aldin Sati.

This documentation summarizes the contributions of both days and gives recommendations for future debate in this field.Ashraf Eissa,Officer in Charge, Communications and Public InformationUnited Nations Mission in Sudan

Bjorn KetelsDirectorGoethe-Institut Sudan

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Cultural Diversity and Multicultural Societies

“Transculturation and Communication”Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue have been neglected in Sudan and the focus

has solely been on Arab culture on the one hand or African culture, without paying enough attention to the commonalities and the interaction between the two in the Sudanese context. I have advocated for "Alsudanawiyya", or the state of being Sudanese, as the only viable alternative to the division within the Sudanese culture and as the only way to achieve a sustainable social peace in the Sudan.

Marginality, whether cultural, social or economic, can be acceptable as a concept to describe the predicament of marginalized or excluded regional or social communities or groups. We can, however, also speak of the centrality of some marginalized cultures, communities or groups, which create their own marginal or satellite cultures, communities or groups. South Sudan, Darfur or Eastern Sudan, for instance, can rightly claim to be marginalized by the center of power in Khartoum but, at the same time, they reproduce this marginalization at the local level. At the end of the day, there is a problem of governance, (political, social and economic) that should be resolved at all levels.

In the cultural domain, what is needed are democratic and open mechanisms for the management of cultural diversity which are a condition sine qua non for social peace. This requires a genuine political will which recognizes the problem and renders a correct identification of its contours and prescribes realistic and workable solutions for it.

An open and democratic political dialogue is a precondition for dialogue over issues of multiculturalism and cultural diversity. A formula should be found whereby cultural diversity in Sudan can form the basis for what we can call "cultural confederacy" the terms of which can be identified through a political and intellectual process.

Cultural interaction is a continuous process and new micro cultures and life styles are being created every day, particularly through the interaction of diverse communities, groups and individuals in urban and semi-urban centers. These lessons should be taken into consideration with a view to insure the sustainability of this process of social and cultural interaction and devise mechanisms for its viability and sustainability.

Summary by Dr Nureldin Satti, of paper by Professor El-Tayeb Haj Attiya,

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“Sudan Cultural Diversity and Dichotomies: Current Challenges

and Future prospects”In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

The political, economic, social and cultural complexities in Sudan and the ethnic and regional conflicts have not yet succeeded in achieving stability, thus making the political situation more vulnerable than ever before.

Based on considering the idea that Sudan is multi-complex and not multi-marginal as Ali Mazrouee mentioned before, the multi-complexity can be attributed to historical and geographical reasons, and that the environment formed the current situation in Sudan with its demographic, political, social, cultural and religious structure. Among these influential factors are the Arabic and African environment and the overlap during the historical eras in the formation of the current reality of Sudan. Sudan’s reality cannot be understood or analyzed without taking all the previous factors into consideration especially while attempting to understand the nature of the population movement and social overlapping in the process of identity formation and continuation of conflict. The adoption of an analytical theory towards the future and the same political distance originated in history can be proposed, taking into consideration all the social overlap mentioned above and its effect on the local communities as they organize themselves and utilize their resources and livelihood in their co-existence with the other local communities.

Despite the historical depth of Sudan and interaction between its cultural and social structures, it is still a nation under reconstruction and formation. This explains the formation, emergence and disappearance of multiple identities based on the alliances that have taken place from time to time, according to the historical circumstances.

After tracking down the formation of modern Sudan since the first Nubian and the succeeding Christian kingdoms followed by the Islamic kingdoms along with the population migrations especially the entering of the Arabs into Sudan followed by the colonial era {the Turkish and Anglo-Egyptian rule} and the short liberation era in between represented by the Mahdist, it

Summary by Dr. Idris Salim El Hassan, of paper presented by Professor Abdulghaffar Mohammed Ahmed

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is clear that all these developments, especially the British Colonialism, have influenced the succeeding national eras following the independence. The most important characteristics of the periods following the independence era are the formation of accredited alliances between the educated and leaders of religious communities and leaders of tribal clans in a way that lead to injustice in the realization of balanced development between the different regions of Sudan. This has lead to its marginalization, the creation of a state of anger that later on lead to armed disputes and conflicts in the form of identity and regional conflicts.

The unbalanced development since the colonial era continued till today even after the utilization of oil. Most of the developmental, agricultural and industrial projects and the trade are focused on central Sudan where there is power and money. This has negatively impacted and lead to the deterioration of production and weakening of the production base with its natural and human resources and the infrastructure.

Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that any dual theory on the complicated issues of Sudan (North and South, Arabs and Africans, Muslims and Christians) and despite of the truth that has been said, cannot explain the complex and intricate situation in Sudan. This is explained by discussing the problem of South Sudan and indicated how the colonial politics played a role in creating the problem through the education and closed areas policies. The case of Darfur and the demographic, climatic and environmental complexities have to be reviewed, with which dualisms like Arabs/Africans, farmers/nomads and others cannot be explained.

In conclusion it can be noted that the political, economic, social, cultural and religious developments are, historically, complicated processes augmented by the population movement and environmental factors so that problems of Sudan cannot be looked at through a single or dual analysis based on identity, ethnicity, tribe, element or language. And that the interaction of these factors with each other should be understood in order for Sudan to enjoy a bright future.

This future cannot be achieved without balanced development and rule of spirit of tolerance as well as recognition of the other and preservation of rights of the marginalized.

Additions by Dr. Idris Salim El-Hassan

To deepen and enrich Professor Abdulghaffar’s thoughts during the discussions, Dr. Idris Salim El-Hassan added the following points:

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The necessity for connecting this discussion with the democratic transformation stage and to be familiar with the various aspects in the current social, economic and cultural interactions and its manifestation in the different identities and ethnicities in the political, economic and cultural rights, in specific; and all that it requires to make the democratic transformation, including the pangs, successful. The need to discuss the role of the cultural issues to make a unified or separate Sudan at the political, national and state institutions levels, as administrative systems; and the level of social interaction between the local and regional communities. The importance of how to manage the cultural diversification as a basic element in achieving a violent and disintegrate-free community. It is important especially that Sudan has not established a policy for administering the cultural diversity since the independence and hence the knowledge of dealing with multiculturalism and linking it with the meaning of citizenship, freedom of expression and cultural equality have not been achieved so that every group expresses its identity and culture while dealing with the other groups in a national framework. Administration of multiculturalism necessitates presence of clear policies and separate plans with the guarantee of availability of financial & human resources for the success of these policies & plans.How to depend on the Naivasha Peace Agreement and the Interim Constitution to establish policies, plans and mechanisms for achieving an effective and serious administration of the multiculturalism, with the awareness that each of these depends on the corridors of politics between the partners of the agreement. The two partners do not have a vision and clear political program to manage the multiculturalism in the future. The question will be: What is the role of the civil society organizations in putting pressure on the two partners and all the politicians to develop and implement plans and mechanisms for managing the multiculturalism in Sudan?The State, as a whole, lacks mechanisms, organizing and management structures to implement the issues relating to multiculturalism included in the peace agreement. The Ministry of Culture (for example) does not have the qualified human powers and technical cadres, the organizing and administrative structures and equipments that enable it to develop policies, plans and programs for the multiculturalism which necessitates review of the possibility of creating other organs more capable for so doing. The question that emerges here is about the importance of establishing a commission for the culture, aided with resources, in which all forms of cultures in Sudan should be represented and that interests of the social compositions like children, women, youths, elders and various intellectual, linguistic and religious aspects should be taken into consideration. The Ministry of Culture, in its current position, does not suit the size of what is required to achieve real multiculturalism and appropriate management of the issues.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Several recommendations were raised by the participants, during the discussions. These include:

Attention should be given to cultural interaction in urban areas. People should draw on experiences of cultural interaction in order to maintain the Afro-Arab interaction. More channels for communication and cultural assimilation should be opened. To establish a commission to manage multiple cultures in Sudan as set forth in the Sudanese Constitution. The Commission will be tasked with setting up national policies and mechanisms to manage cultural issues. To conduct an in-depth and specialized study in Anthropology to reinforce the notion of cultural multiplicity and requirements of cultural diversity. To conduct further studies on cultural issues among IDPs.To hold workshops in universities and schools in order to raise awareness on cultural multiplicity. To raise awareness about the CPA and the other agreements in order to support social peace and encourage formation of the Sudanese nation.To support official and public information institutions in their role in managing cultural issues and process of formation of the nation as well. To provide opportunities to engage in cultural dialogues among the youth under the supervision and direction of specialists with a view to contributing to cultural assimilation and eventually to the social peace.

The follow points were identified as possible areas for future consideration:

Take a proactive position to incorporate cultural diversity in everyday life, by targeting youth groups; for example cultural exchange programs within StatesWork toward fostering cultural diversity using artistic expression via various mediums

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Dr. Idris Salim ElHassan

Dr. Idris Salim ElHassan is an Associate Professor – Dean of University Projects for Community Development at the University of Khartoum (U of K), Sudan. His main

academic fields of interest include cultural studies; African and Middle Eastern studies; sociology of religion; and development (education/ pastoralism, conflict resolution.)

In addition to the UK, Dr. ElHassan has been teaching social studies and economy in other universities, and has also worked as a visiting professor at the universities of the United Arab Emirates, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and King Saud, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has supervised and examined post- graduate studies for tens of higher diplomas (mainly at the University of Khartoum ), more than forty MAs; and seven PhD students.

Amongst the researches he has conducted, are the Cultural Forms Among IDPs in Sudan; Macro-Micro Peace- building processes in Sudan Focusing on Urban Violence; the Socio-Economic Impact of Oil in Sudan; Managing the Peace Process in the Post Conflict Stage in Sudan; and Small Religious Groups in Khartoum.

Dr. ElHassan is the author / co-author of three books; The Sudanese Perspectives in Science, Knowledge and Culture; Religion in Society, Nemeiri and the Turuq; and Leisure Activities in Saudi Arabia. He also has written several articles, reports, working papers and chapters on issues related to economy and social studies in refereed journals, magazines and newspapers.

He is currently the Chair of Sudanese Sociological Society, Vice President of Sudanese Writers Union, and Vice President of the National UNESCO Committee (Culture Committee).

Dr. ElHassan holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut, USA.

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Professor Abdel Ghaffar Mohamed AhmedAbdel Ghaffar Mohamed Ahmed (PhD, University of Bergen, Norway) is a Professor of

Social Anthropology and Development at Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman; and University of Khartoum, Sudan. He also holds a position as Adjunct Senior Researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen, Norway. Previously taught at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; University of Bergen, Norway; and the University of California, Berkeley. Former Executive Director of the Organization for Social Science in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), with its head office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, (1992-2002) and currently the Chairperson of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum (GHHF) initiated by the UNESCO with its head office in Djibouti.

Prof. Abdel Ghaffar’s latest publications include: Sudan: The Root Causes of the Present Crisis (in Arabic, Madaric Publishers, Cairo, Egypt, 2008); co-edited books with Leif Manger, Understanding the Crisis in Darfur (Unifob Global, at the University of Bergen, BIRC, 2006); Peace in Eastern Sudan: Some Important Aspects for Consideration (Unifob Global University of Bergen, BRIC 2009). Both books are translated to Arabic. Additionally he co-edited with M. Salih and Ton Dietz African Pastoralism: Conflicts Institutions and Governance (London: Pluto Press 2001). He is also a guest editor and contributor with Barbara Casciarri to the Special Issue of the International Journal: Nomadic People, published by Berghahn Journals (2009).

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Professor Eltayeb Haj Attia

Dr. Eltayeb Hag Attia is a professor of Communication, who has diversified academic experiences that journeyed him from Syracuse University-USA where he did his Master

to Sorbonne University-Paris where he was rewarded his PhD. Dr. Attia has taught in several universities; he is the founder of the Communication Department, Faculty of Arts at the University of Khartoum. His last position was the Director of Peace Research Institute, in the same university.

Dr. Attia’s professional background was not exclusive on Academia but also involved the visual, audio and print media element: where he was the Director of Political Department in Sudan TV, Sudan News Agency, worked with CBS & ABC Radio and TV in the USA, and Editor in Chief for Khartoum Magazine.

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Ambassador Nureldin Satti

Ambassador Nureldin Satti is an independent consultant in the areas of conflict resolution, peace-building and culture of peace. He holds a doctorate in literature from University of

Paris-Sorbonne Nouvelle. He was a diplomat with the Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1996, after which he worked with UNESCO and the UN.

As a diplomat, Dr. Satti served in the Sudanese embassies in Brussels, N’djamena and Paris. He also served, between 1992 and 1996, as ambassador of Sudan to France with non-resident representation to Portugal, Switzerland and the Vatican, as well as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

In 1996 Ambassador Satti joined UNESCO where his main domain was the peace processes and the culture of peace in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa, and Burundi. During this period, in particular, he participated in the preparations for the Great Lakes Regional Conference which later on evolved into the Great Lakes Peace, Security and Development Pact, signed in Nairobi in December 2006.

He also served as the Deputy Special Representative at the UN Political Office for Burundi (UNOB), Principal Deputy SRSG for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Burundi (ONUB) and was Acting SRSG from April to December 2006. Following the conclusion of ONUB mission, he returned to UNESCO as Director of the Addis Ababa Cluster Office, covering Ethiopia, Djibouti, the African Union, the ECA and IGAD.

Dr. Satti was teaching African Francophone literature, French-Arabic translation and French language at the University of Khartoum and the Islamic University of Omdurman, 1974-1975; He also lectured at the African Centre for Technology (ARCT) in Dakar (April-July 1980) and the African Centre for Applied Research and Training in Social Development in Tripoli, Libya (1981-1984).

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List of Participants

Dr. Aalim Abass

Dr. Abdalla Ali Ibrahim

Prof. Abdel Ghaffar Mohamed Ahmed

Dr. Abendnego Akok Kacuol

Mr. Adil Atanasios

Mr. Ahmed Zaroog Abdel Gadir

Dr. Akolda Man Tier

Dr. Almutassim Ahmed Alhaj

Dr. Altayeb Haj Attya

Ms. Anja Dargatz

Mr. Galal El-Soury

Ms. Huda Mubarak

Dr. Hind Abbas

Dr. Ibraham Matoc

Mr. Mohamed Ali Jadin

Mr. Mohamed Yousif Ahmed

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Dr. Mohammed Mahgoub Haroon

Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Mukhtar

Mr. Henry Jung

Mr. Musa Adam Abdel Galil

Dr. Musaab Al-Sawi

Dr. Nour Aldin Sati

Dr. Samia Babikir Mohamed Elhassan

Dr. Samson Wassara

Prof. Sayed Hamid Hurees

Prof. Yousif Fadil Hassan

Muna Badawy

Munzoul A. M. Assal

Samia El-Hadi El-Nagar

Al-Tayib Zain El-Abdeen

Dr. Idris Salim ElHassan

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Symposium snapshots

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Layout and design by Sezar Amin Public Information Office, UNMIS

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Cultural Diversity and Multiculural Societies