Table of Contents:
Introduction
Welcome to the Cross Cultural Communications Series! The Vietnamese is the second
in a new series of Individualized Instruction Modules which have been developed
to educate and sensitize employees of the R.C.M.P. to certain specific ethno-cultural
communities in Canada.
The need to better acquaint ourselves with the various peoples we serve has
never been more vital to our profession. Canadian cities and towns across the
country are currently undergoing dramatic transformations through recent immigration.
These new immigrants have often left circumstances and lifestyles markedly different
from mainstream Canadian society. In some cases, they have fled oppressive government
regimes, war or revolution. The transition to our country has often been understandably
difficult, with obstacles such as language, culture, even technological changes
to overcome. Many new arrivals are also deeply suspicious, indeed afraid of
the police, a legacy from their home country's police forces who often perform
a quite different role in their society.
We, as a professional police service, need to be a part of the ongoing educational
process in acclimatizing new Canadians. We must help to inform them of the true
nature and role of the R.C.M.P., and must strive to establish the level of confidence
our organization has justly earned with the great majority of Canadians.
In order to accomplish this important goal we need to have a better understanding
ourselves of these new citizens, what they have experienced, what they believe
in, and how they view the world about them through their own unique cultural
prospective.
The Cross Cultural Communications Series has been developed to assist employees
in taking that first important step towards a greater understanding of other
peoples. The word Communication infers that the next step in the process will
be for employees to use their new knowledge base to enhance their professional
relations with ethnic communities through improved communications.
It is hoped that you will find The Vietnamese an informative and valuable resource.
Multiculturalism
in Canada
In 1971 the federal government of Canada adopted an official policy of multiculturalism
within a bilingual national framework. Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau
defined this new reality when he declared Canada to be a nation "with two
official languages but no official culture."
Canadian immigration policies, once notoriously discriminatory against visible
minority applicants, have over the past two decades been instrumental in
promoting multiculturalism through accommodating a much more diverse and
rich mix of immigrants. The goal of multiculturalism is to provide an environment
wherein all cultures can achieve an equal acceptance and value, and all
Canadians share equally in the political, social, and economic rewards of
our free society.
Institutions are often held to blame for harbouring, or even worse, promoting
ethnic and cultural disharmony. It is undeniable that the leadership and
much of the followership in our pubic and government institutions remains
overwhelmingly male, white, and English speaking. This group, which leads
the political, social, and cultural life of Canada is referred to as the
DOMINANT CULTURE although in sheer numbers at least, it is no longer the
majority culture. Institutions, consequently, are often criticized as being
unrepresentative of minorities and insensitive to their needs and aspirations.
Police services are institutions which appear to be particularly vulnerable
to criticism from minority groups. Policing, always a controversial profession,
is further hindered in it's relationship with ethnic communities by traditionally
low minority representation in their departments. The police and the Criminal
Justice System as a whole, are often viewed by minorities as being unduly
discriminatory.
The police, as the front line proponents of the Criminal Justice System,
are often thrust into difficult and complex situations where important decisions
must be made urgently, and with growing frequency, made within a cultural
framework often alien from most employees own experiences.
If the police are to protect and support the public in a fair, impartial,
sensitive and respectful manner, as is their mandate, then they must better
understand the communities they serve. Such an understanding is integral
to effective policing.
Purpose
The purpose of this learning material is to provide YOU, the employee, with
a basic understanding of another ethno-cultural community and it's people, in
order that YOU can communicate more effectively and function more efficiently
within this particular community. In this reference material you will be learning
about the Vietnamese.
This learning material does not profess to offer a detailed, comprehensive study
of the Vietnamese people or their unique and rich culture; however, it will
service as a constructive, instructional guide which will allow YOU to function
in a more knowledgeable manner when in contact with Vietnamese people.
Whenever you are examining a particular people and their culture (culture specific),
you are forced to some degree, to speak in generalities. This is a difficult
task, for it is important not to reinforce or even create stereotypical images.
The Vietnamese, like all people, are divided in their beliefs, the strength
and depth of their convictions, their cultural practices, etc. Nevertheless,
it remains a valuable exercise to look at the core values and beliefs which
in general terms, have shaped how these people live and look at the world; and
there is little doubt that such information is directly related to the employee's
role in the community today.
IIM Objective
TO CREATE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT POLICING SERVICE WITHIN CANADA'S VARIOUS
VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING EMPLOYEES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED
POLICE WITH A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC tenats WHICH SHAPE VIETNAMESE
HISTORY, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY.
Structure
This learning material has been divided into four modules; each module serves
to answer a basic, yet key question to our overall understanding of the Vietnamese.
MODULE B: What influence has the past had upon the Vietnamese people of today?
MODULE C: How does Vietnamese culture and values shape their lives?
MODULE D: What difficulties do Vietnamese emigres encounter in making their
adjustment to Canadian society?
Conclusion
This learning material deals with ideals, concepts, and beliefs; it is different
therefore, from many other police training courses you may have experienced
in the past which tend to deal with hard, verifiable, facts. Take your time
with this material; what you will be learning will undoubtably be a new experience.
This learning material
is not intended nor designed to attempt to change YOUR personal beliefs or attitudes,
whatever they might be. Rather, this material is designed only to impart basic
information so that YOU can perform YOUR duties in a professional manner likely
to improve communications, demonstrate fairness, assist in obtaining more information,
enhance understanding, and reduce personal risk.
IF THESE GOALS SEEM WORTHWHILE
TO YOU, THEN READ ON!
MAIN PAGE / MODULE B / MODULE C / MODULE D / SELF STUDY GUIDE
RCMP/GRC
module_a.htm
06/13/02