Cultural Dialogue vs. Polarization: Australia and the Common Good

This essay examines the disconnect between Australia's multiculturalism and social polarization, highlighting the importance of cultural dialogue and the common good. It discusses the impact of polarization on issues like refugee protection and emphasizes the need for understanding and empathy. The author argues that fostering dialogue, as opposed to polarization, is crucial for upholding human dignity and achieving the common good, referencing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The essay critiques government inaction on social issues and proposes educational initiatives to promote understanding and cooperation between students and refugees, advocating for a society where all individuals can flourish and have their voices heard. The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing the shared responsibility for the wellbeing of all members of the community.

Australia is one of the most diverse and multicultural nation in the world however, its beliefs
in the cultural as well as ethical has been disconnected by social polarisation. According to
Dr Michael Spence, currently the cultural division becomes one of the Australian’s most
demanding problems and has shown that it might effect on social wellbeing. Throughout the
opinion provided by the editorial, I have managed to choose and discuss ‘the development
of culture related to dialogue as well as gain encounter rather than the culture of
polarization’ since it confronts every purpose associated with the any comprehensive good.
Today’s community is dominant by polarized views because of the vulnerability that has
been shared which becomes multicultural conflicts, violence and war that affects global
stability.
One of the biggest issues in today’s societies that challenge the world and especially
Australia is cultural polarization about the protection and wellbeing of refugees. When any
individuals of the populations are prohibited from participation in the life of a community
that is not included from being capable of human beings. It is of conflict that the concept of
the common good, which need to improve therefore the governments and individuals, have
obligation to improve this issues in order to meet the goals and objectives of common good.
The ideas of meeting the goals of common good is building community together for the
wellbeing of others and the wider world where whole individuals can flourish and have basic
rights in life. We need to comprehend and recognize that common goal can be shared
responsibility, which demonstrates that are needed to provide protection as well as support
for the people unfairly obligated to move away from their own homes by conflicts. When
people experience each other’s culture background and understand what they have been
through, its real lesson in the way to promote civic and political love that seems lacking in
our current society. In the living proof that those people who have been affected by human
rights abuse and armed conflicts are, part our common good.
Refugees and asylum seekers are human being and they should enjoy the full range of
human rights. They need to have rights to access food, shelter; clothing, protection but so
too are access equal education and health supports just like other normal human beings.
They also deserved to have family reunion, the chance of accepting responsibility for their
very own lives, developing their very own cultures and societies, and free to express their
beliefs to contribute to common good. If there are any issues associated with refugees that
pose threat to the ordinary good and dignity of the humans, we need to be respectful to the
productive dialogue based on the issue that exist rather than come up with intention of
polarization. By creating a peaceful dialogue to understand the common concern, it allows
people from different cultures and different background to express their perspective and
interest in peaceful way. Therefore, this provides a guarantee to the human dignity as
maintained by the independence of the class they belong, riches or poor. Furthermore, The
principles associated with the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) provides global solidarity
distinguishes individuals’ needs inside the community to help any individual who needs help
or supports. As Australia is a nation wealthy with its natural resources, it is also lucky to be
financially steady. Thus, benefits exist with the duty to promote the people struggling or are
in danger and looking for protection.
The significant connected between principles of common good of subsidiary and solidarity
contribute themselves great understanding and recognize the experience of refugees at

level of society. They play great roles in providing common good and human flouring as to
make sure that those people have their voice heard and considered. Sadly, our governments
are not able to work together politically to advance positive change regarding social issues
especially in relation to refugees and asylum seekers. They do not take their responsibility to
defend common good and promote human flourishing. Every time when they debate about
these issues in federal parliament, they highlight their own programs over the issues being
displayed. Even when individuals have aim to achieve something within society, the
government controls it, therefore sharing responsibilities among the people with power is
not good.
I believe it is difficult to develop cultural dialogue and experience in the society where
structured with a polarize attitude and defending position that has seen push away common
good. We are more thinking only ourselves “me first” and not thinking about unite dialogue
where listening opinion, views and struggles of others, by also sharing own though as well.
When assisting political debates, it seems we do not discuss enough why those people left
their homes, family and risking their lives. They are looking for protections where they faced
a place of horror and have no choice. Therefore, it is important to develop engaging
dialogue, it helps us to experience and understand each other’s concerns, what individuals
have been progressed. It helps us to work together finding options, methods and solutions
to our society issues which ultimately contributed to common good. The principles of the
CST have helped me to understand the importance of normal good and dignity of human in
our society. With my profession of education, I have responsibility to advocate and
contribute towards the refugee’s issues. As an advocate, I would bring students from school
to have social activities with refugees in Australia to make sure these students and refugees
children able share understanding the way to promote common good start from young age.