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Multiculturalism, Capability and Human Multiculturalism, Capability and Human Development: the Canadian Immigration Development: the Canadian Immigration

Experience.Experience.

Susan Hodgett Ph.D. School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies Susan Hodgett Ph.D. School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies and the Social and Policy Research Institute (University of Ulster)and the Social and Policy Research Institute (University of Ulster)

andandDavid A. Clark Ph.D. Global Poverty Research Group David A. Clark Ph.D. Global Poverty Research Group

(Universities of Manchester and Oxford) (Universities of Manchester and Oxford)

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Contribution over Contribution over two two papers papers

To develop a To develop a framework and methodologyframework and methodology for for investigating human values and social integration in investigating human values and social integration in multicultural contexts.multicultural contexts.

To build on the theoretical foundations of Sen’s To build on the theoretical foundations of Sen’s capability approach by drawing on insights from the capability approach by drawing on insights from the livelihoods approach and chronic poverty literature. livelihoods approach and chronic poverty literature.

To identify human values in a multicultural setting & To identify human values in a multicultural setting & the instrumental /constitutive freedoms ordinary the instrumental /constitutive freedoms ordinary people have reason to value.people have reason to value.

To engage with Sen’s work on culture and identity.To engage with Sen’s work on culture and identity. To use the capability approach to illuminate aspects of To use the capability approach to illuminate aspects of

multicultural policy in a First World country.multicultural policy in a First World country. This research is supported by This research is supported by Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada

and The Foundation for Canadian Studies in the UK.and The Foundation for Canadian Studies in the UK.

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The Means…The Means…

To augment the To augment the capability approachcapability approach and human and human development paradigm with insights from the development paradigm with insights from the livelihoods livelihoods approach.approach.

To analyse the dynamics of poverty. To analyse the dynamics of poverty. To investigate human values, the role of culture and To investigate human values, the role of culture and

identity and how these relate to, and interact with, other identity and how these relate to, and interact with, other factors in shaping livelihoods and well-being among factors in shaping livelihoods and well-being among different groups of migrants in Canada. different groups of migrants in Canada.

To draw upon the values and experiences of immigrants To draw upon the values and experiences of immigrants and explore whether Canadian multicultural policy has and explore whether Canadian multicultural policy has enabled migrants to achieve the kind of life they have enabled migrants to achieve the kind of life they have reason to value. reason to value.

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CapabilitiesCapabilities Capability approach (CA) to human well-being and development Capability approach (CA) to human well-being and development

was pioneered by Nobel winning Economist and Philosopher was pioneered by Nobel winning Economist and Philosopher Amartya Sen. It is concerned with ensuring that different people, Amartya Sen. It is concerned with ensuring that different people, cultures and societies can enjoy the capability (or freedom) to cultures and societies can enjoy the capability (or freedom) to lead lead the kind of life that they have reason to valuethe kind of life that they have reason to value. .

While income and material things might be necessary to facilitate While income and material things might be necessary to facilitate a a good form of lifegood form of life, the CA recognises that it does not automatically , the CA recognises that it does not automatically follow that there will be a strong link between income and access follow that there will be a strong link between income and access to resources and the ability to achieve valuable capabilities.to resources and the ability to achieve valuable capabilities.

The CA places people at the centre of the development process The CA places people at the centre of the development process People are regarded as the People are regarded as the primary endsprimary ends as well as the principal as well as the principal

meansmeans of development. of development. In particular the CA recognises that In particular the CA recognises that well-being is multidimensionalwell-being is multidimensional and and

embraces the full range of ‘doings’ and ‘beings’ that contribute to a embraces the full range of ‘doings’ and ‘beings’ that contribute to a good form of life. good form of life.

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Capabilities and ImpactCapabilities and Impact CA has spawned a literature in development, social CA has spawned a literature in development, social

science and moral philosophy.science and moral philosophy. Fits with multiculturalism for it sees people (not Fits with multiculturalism for it sees people (not

production) as the primary agent of economic and social production) as the primary agent of economic and social analysis. analysis.

Judges success as Judges success as “what people can or cannot do”“what people can or cannot do” (Sen, 1983: 754).(Sen, 1983: 754).

It is a flexible approach and can be It is a flexible approach and can be applied applied in different in different ways. For example, it can be used alongside ways. For example, it can be used alongside participatory tools and methods to empower participatory tools and methods to empower marginalised groups and cultures and generate bottom marginalised groups and cultures and generate bottom up views of poverty and well-being. up views of poverty and well-being.

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Capabilities and CultureCapabilities and Culture Sen has been working in the area of culture and Sen has been working in the area of culture and

identity.identity. He considers importantHe considers important

Public reasoningPublic reasoning Deliberative DemocracyDeliberative Democracy

In forming social valuesIn forming social values Involving ethics borrowed from cultural values-Involving ethics borrowed from cultural values- which beg which beg

further study.further study. That all values should contribute That all values should contribute positively positively to social and to social and

economic progress.economic progress. He promotes the importance of democracy and of reason as He promotes the importance of democracy and of reason as

well as toleration or “well as toleration or “reason before identity”.reason before identity”.

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LivelihoodsLivelihoods The The livelihoods approachlivelihoods approach focuses on people focuses on people

as the as the primary agentsprimary agents for tackling poverty. for tackling poverty. Views people as vulnerable and draws attention to Views people as vulnerable and draws attention to

the resources (assets) they can mobilise, the risk the resources (assets) they can mobilise, the risk factors that influence their ability to manage factors that influence their ability to manage resources and the institutional and policy context resources and the institutional and policy context that either helps or hinders their capacity to make that either helps or hinders their capacity to make a living.a living.

The The chronic poverty literaturechronic poverty literature investigates the investigates the factorsfactors that (i) trap people in persistent poverty; (ii) that (i) trap people in persistent poverty; (ii) allow people to move in and out of poverty allow people to move in and out of poverty over over timetime; or (iii) enables people to escape poverty.; or (iii) enables people to escape poverty.

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The QuestionnaireThe Questionnaire

Part One Part One Used Used open-endedopen-ended questions that asked respondents to identify questions that asked respondents to identify

aspects of lifeaspects of life. A good life, anticipated dimensions of life in . A good life, anticipated dimensions of life in Canada before arrival, positive and negative aspects of life in Canada before arrival, positive and negative aspects of life in Canada, satisfaction with life, needs and goals (both over time).Canada, satisfaction with life, needs and goals (both over time).

Interviewers were instructed not to suggest possible answers. Interviewers were instructed not to suggest possible answers.

Part Two Part Two Respondents asked questions about more “Respondents asked questions about more “specific aspectsspecific aspects of of

life”life”, such as housing, education, jobs, health, self worth/ , such as housing, education, jobs, health, self worth/ respect, trust, friendship/community life and happiness which respect, trust, friendship/community life and happiness which were were pre-definedpre-defined. .

Part ThreePart Three Collected Collected background informationbackground information regarding personal regarding personal

circumstances and living conditions.circumstances and living conditions.

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The Benefits of this ApproachThe Benefits of this Approach

Allows researchers to avoid influencing initial Allows researchers to avoid influencing initial responses (by asking purely open-ended questions at responses (by asking purely open-ended questions at the start).the start).

Picks up on issues respondents may have neglected Picks up on issues respondents may have neglected AND looks for consensus (by requesting an AND looks for consensus (by requesting an assessment of pre-defined aspects of life). assessment of pre-defined aspects of life).

Test for inconsistencies (by comparing the answers to Test for inconsistencies (by comparing the answers to open and pre-defined questions) that might reflect open and pre-defined questions) that might reflect preferences which are ill-informed or have adapted to preferences which are ill-informed or have adapted to personal circumstances.personal circumstances.

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Initial Research Goals in CanadaInitial Research Goals in Canada

To identify and explore cultural values, expectations and To identify and explore cultural values, expectations and experience of social integration among different groups experience of social integration among different groups of Canadian immigrants.of Canadian immigrants.

To investigate how cultural values relate to and interact To investigate how cultural values relate to and interact with livelihoods and well-being.with livelihoods and well-being.

To consider the extent to which multicultural policy (and To consider the extent to which multicultural policy (and policy in general) has enabled migrants to integrate policy in general) has enabled migrants to integrate successfully into Canadian society.successfully into Canadian society.

To compare and contrast the views of different groups of To compare and contrast the views of different groups of Canadian immigrants with the perceptions of immigrant Canadian immigrants with the perceptions of immigrant needs and policy effectiveness of the establishment and needs and policy effectiveness of the establishment and other stakeholders. other stakeholders.

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Research Questions and Research Questions and Methodology in CanadaMethodology in Canada

Twelve qualitative interviews among three Twelve qualitative interviews among three groups of migrants. groups of migrants. Open-ended questions were designed to explore:Open-ended questions were designed to explore:

Abstract perceptions of human well-being – i.e. a ‘good’ Abstract perceptions of human well-being – i.e. a ‘good’ (ideal) form of life.(ideal) form of life.

Perceptions of well-being (life) in Canada Perceptions of well-being (life) in Canada priorprior to arrival. to arrival. Actual Actual perceptions of well-being (life) in Canada.perceptions of well-being (life) in Canada. Short/ mediate term goals and objectives (priorities, needs).Short/ mediate term goals and objectives (priorities, needs). The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that

shape livelihoods and well-being (SWOT analysis).shape livelihoods and well-being (SWOT analysis). The impact of multicultural policy in particular, and other The impact of multicultural policy in particular, and other

types of policy in general, on the livelihoods and well-being types of policy in general, on the livelihoods and well-being of Canadian immigrants.of Canadian immigrants.

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FieldworkFieldwork Not possible to administer a sample survey; instead Not possible to administer a sample survey; instead

we relied on a small number of qualitative interviews. we relied on a small number of qualitative interviews. Our research was constrained by lack of time and Our research was constrained by lack of time and resource. resource.

Selection was of specific groups of migrants (e.g. on grounds Selection was of specific groups of migrants (e.g. on grounds they had differing cultural backgrounds and arrival dates in they had differing cultural backgrounds and arrival dates in Canada). Respondents were found through a process of self-Canada). Respondents were found through a process of self-selection facilitated through contact in a local housing co-selection facilitated through contact in a local housing co-operative. operative.

Three distinct groups were surveyed (Western Three distinct groups were surveyed (Western European, Eastern European and African) in order to European, Eastern European and African) in order to generate interesting comparisons.generate interesting comparisons.

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Characteristics of RespondentsCharacteristics of Respondents

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Analysis of Results- ongoingAnalysis of Results- ongoing

Breakdown results by selection criteria in order to Breakdown results by selection criteria in order to (a) illustrate diversity of multicultural values; and (a) illustrate diversity of multicultural values; and (b) the factors that foster/impede the pursuit of (b) the factors that foster/impede the pursuit of

multiculturalism and successful social integration among multiculturalism and successful social integration among different groups.different groups.

Draw out the implications of the fieldwork results for Draw out the implications of the fieldwork results for multicultural policy on the one hand and other (non-multicultural policy on the one hand and other (non-multicultural) policy on the other.multicultural) policy on the other.

Reference findings to the most recent theories of Amartya Reference findings to the most recent theories of Amartya Sen on culture and identity, ‘Reason before Identity’, “Sen on culture and identity, ‘Reason before Identity’, “Other Other People” and “The Argumentative Indian?”People” and “The Argumentative Indian?”

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Factors that foster/impede the pursuit of multiculturalism and Factors that foster/impede the pursuit of multiculturalism and successful social integration among different groups.successful social integration among different groups.

Perceptions of life Perceptions of life before before coming to coming to CanadaCanada

ActualActual perceptions of life in Canada perceptions of life in Canada Questions formulated around Questions formulated around human well- human well-

beingbeing A set of questions on the A set of questions on the positivepositive and and

negativenegative aspects of life relating to the aspects of life relating to the respondent (his or herself), the community respondent (his or herself), the community and the country as a whole.and the country as a whole.

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Integration and Cohesion?Integration and Cohesion? Questions revealed much about the potential for Questions revealed much about the potential for

the cultural integration of different ethnic groups, the cultural integration of different ethnic groups, social cohesion and social harmony. social cohesion and social harmony.

The greater the overlap between responses to The greater the overlap between responses to the three sets of questions (the three sets of questions (abstract cultural abstract cultural values, perceptions of life before arrival and values, perceptions of life before arrival and perceptions of the actual quality of lifeperceptions of the actual quality of life), the ), the easier it is likely to be to adjust to life in a new easier it is likely to be to adjust to life in a new country or cultural setting.country or cultural setting.

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Values, Expectations and Actual Values, Expectations and Actual ExperienceExperience

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What we can tellWhat we can tell This approach helps identify areas of This approach helps identify areas of divergencedivergence

and and convergenceconvergence in both in both values values and the and the (actual) (actual) quality of lifequality of life among ethnic groups. among ethnic groups.

It highlights similarities and differences in It highlights similarities and differences in cultural values and social and economic cultural values and social and economic circumstances circumstances It notes problem areas (for example ethnic tensions, It notes problem areas (for example ethnic tensions,

social injustice or disadvantage). social injustice or disadvantage). And notes too opportunities for building bridges And notes too opportunities for building bridges

between cultural groups.between cultural groups.

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Very Initial Fieldwork Findings..Very Initial Fieldwork Findings.. NegativesNegatives

Shared concerns across all groups with systemic Shared concerns across all groups with systemic problems in jobs /employment including lack of problems in jobs /employment including lack of recognition of qualifications/ skills/ experience.recognition of qualifications/ skills/ experience.

Concerns over disparities between migrants and Concerns over disparities between migrants and those born in Canada regarding career those born in Canada regarding career success/income/self worth.success/income/self worth.

Shared understanding and difficulties in building Shared understanding and difficulties in building new social networks.new social networks.

The enormous challenges individuals and The enormous challenges individuals and families face on deciding to move countries and families face on deciding to move countries and cultures.cultures.

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Very Initial Fieldwork Findings..Very Initial Fieldwork Findings.. PositivesPositives

There are many similarities (as well as There are many similarities (as well as differences) in values across cultural groups. differences) in values across cultural groups. For example, the Africans and the Eastern For example, the Africans and the Eastern Europeans value peace, democracy and Europeans value peace, democracy and individual autonomy. The Western individual autonomy. The Western Europeans and the Africans value education Europeans and the Africans value education and community life. This and community life. This shared consensusshared consensus points the way towards potential opportunities points the way towards potential opportunities for cross cultural bridge building.for cross cultural bridge building.

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Some considerationsSome considerations The fieldwork identified distinct ethnic groups, The fieldwork identified distinct ethnic groups,

but but did not follow standard ethnographic did not follow standard ethnographic techniquestechniques by holding other things equal across by holding other things equal across cultural groups (such as gender, age and cultural groups (such as gender, age and personal circumstances). This means that, personal circumstances). This means that, strictly speaking, it is not possible to say whether strictly speaking, it is not possible to say whether differences in responses across groups reflect differences in responses across groups reflect cultural issues or some other factor.cultural issues or some other factor.

However, it does shed light on how the However, it does shed light on how the methodology might be developed and applied in methodology might be developed and applied in future.future.

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Still to doStill to do An analysis of the fieldwork and methodology.An analysis of the fieldwork and methodology. Extraction of qualitative data.Extraction of qualitative data. Analysis of experience of different cultural groups. Analysis of experience of different cultural groups. The different values of different groups and their view of The different values of different groups and their view of

a good form of life.a good form of life. Compare perceptions of life in Canada before arrival.Compare perceptions of life in Canada before arrival. Compare perceptions of actual life experience in Compare perceptions of actual life experience in

Canada.Canada. SWOT analysis of well-being in Canada -in a SWOT analysis of well-being in Canada -in a

multicultural context.multicultural context. Insights for multicultural policy and cultural integration in Insights for multicultural policy and cultural integration in

Canada that adds to existing debates.Canada that adds to existing debates.