Friday (18/07)— In a thought-provoking session of the 2025 Summer Course “Beyond Boundaries” hosted by CICP, psychology and culture came under fresh light with a lecture by renowned scholar Prof. Emiko Kashima from La Trobe University. The session, titled “What is Polyculturalism? A New Perspective for Understanding Culture and Cultural Identity”, invited participants to explore how cultures are not fixed but interconnected and ever-evolving.
Prof. Kashima introduced polyculturalism as a perspective that recognises how cultures influence one another over time. Unlike multiculturalism, which celebrates distinct identities, polyculturalism highlights exchange, connection, and mutual shaping among cultures. This concept encourages people to move beyond labels and assumptions, promoting understanding, inclusion, and empathy.
Participants, mostly students and professionals from various disciplines, discussed how polyculturalism differs from bicultural identity and how this theory might better reflect today’s global, digital world—especially in a diverse country like Indonesia. Many reflected on how cultural identities shift through media exposure, migration, and everyday interactions.
Questions from attendees addressed real-world implications, from the future of cultural psychology careers to how multinational companies might build inclusive workplace cultures. Others reflected on challenges like intolerance and generational differences in adapting to changing cultural norms.
The session closed with a reminder: cultures are not walls, but bridges. Embracing polyculturalism could help societies grow more open, resilient, and inclusive.
