Multiculturalism as a threat and multiculturalism as an asset | Rebar Jaff | TEDxErbil

Canadian PhD student of Kurdish origin, Rébar Jaff, talks about his life experience as a child refugee since the age of 8, then becoming a new first-class citizen of his new home (Canada). Immigrating from his native Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Jaff discusses the interesting way in which multiculturalism in Iraq is often viewed as a threat by its diverse ethnic groups while a much-richer multiculturalism in Canada is seen as one of the country's greatest assets.
Born in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and raised in Canada. He was in an internship at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for 6 months, where he worked in the Senior Leadership Appointments Section of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (DFS), then the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), and later worked on post-conflict reconstruction and public service delivery in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
Following that in 2009 he landed a job in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where he was a Consultant for the OECD Middle East and North Africa Governance Programme. Following his first year experience at the OECD, he was hired as Program Manager of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Erbil, Iraq, where he was in charge of implementing and overseeing UNFPA’s youth and juvenile development programs in the country. Moreover, he dealt with a wide range of relevant issues across Iraq in coordination with other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@obscurissimus]

At what point in this monologue did this guy ever once mention a single legitimate negative effect of multiculturalism? I was hoping for a pragmatic analysis addressing polarized views on the topic. What I got was a loosely structured story about your life, and how you changed your major several times.

[@Rebarjaff]

These are good points. I was simply talking about my own experience. This was not research or some thorough academic study which, I agree, would definitely need to show all sides of the story. As a Canadian, I had a message for Iraqis who know all about the negative emotions and feelings and were eager to learn about the positives. :)

[@petereames3041]

​@@Rebarjaff The title is misleading.

[@user-lf1qn8gu7l]

"Ok, I need to calm down because I think I`m just one of them" i teared up the way how casually he mentions his people being killed and tortured is heartbreaking

[@RawandEsmail]

Dear Reber, A very interesting presentation. i have really enjoined it.

[@AP-su9oc]

I love these video. So fascinating and funny.

[@zhwanali1261]

Nice presentation, I’m proud of you

[@daisychattam196]

The UK needs to hear this

[@sarahnaoum3989]

For some reason that was so much fun to watch!

[@amsa8053]

the crowd is so dead

[@Rebarjaff]

It was not a native English-speaking crowd, so sometimes jokes would go over the roof, but they were definitely understanding the messages and were reflecting on them as I was speaking.

[@Fatimalachhab-bl3cd]

i enjoyed this story

[@socialistsolidarity]

I love Canadians, I think the world can learn something positive from Canada

[@HOWTO-ui5fs]

Mau Ik but seriously Arabs NEVER Kill their people cuz I'm Arab so Ik everything about it and we never, we just try to get people to the Islam but usually some refuse then we don't just so he know cuz how does he even believe these people without even proof so why dude, he really got me right there and Arabs are calm people like he can at least try visiting If he doesn't believe

[@davecullins1606]

Multiculturalism doesn't work if the cultures involved don't like it. And it's damned hard and takes forever to change an entire group's view on multiculturalism. Now try having to do it to multiple groups.

[@xiam5941]

bro when you said how your dad said “no this is the country where people are the same” it brought a tear to my eye 🙏🏻✨ beautiful 👌🏻 im proud of being Canadian

[@RagamalaRokudan]

Multiculturalism is a thing easy to say than done. Even Canadians are not completely happy with this. This video just talks a lot about his personal experiences but not able to tell "how" to achieve multiculturalism and yet flourishes.

[@arishexany6063]

Nice presentation well done

[@berlinlincoln7918]

People have tendency towards negative, due to war economy (psychological warfare), instead of working out a way to economic development through education. I personally refer racial harmony, because religion tolerance is more of concern the rights, e.g. human rights, moral rights, etc.

[@GrandmasterTigerfist]

Multuculture has never been a problem as Europe is also multiculture where different cultures have different language and way of life. If that is still a problem then Spanish should respect independence of Catalonia and English should respect independence of Scotland as a seperate nations.

[@jps0117]

It seems like the only people who use the term "multiculturalist" are anti-multiculturalist. It would be like living in a world where the only people who used the word "capitalist" were anti-capitalist or the only people who used the word "Buddhist" were anti-Buddhist. I congratulate this man for his reasoned speech.

[@Smithjgwhs3]

Braintwister: If one practices more than one "culture" at the same time, is it now one culture to that one that does it?

[@Mickey784cr]

You're hurting my head.

[@oviatb]

Multiculturalism is indeed build with multicultural people at the individual level ;)

[@juang.s.3735]

We are all different people but at the same time we are incredibly similar

[@snowfrosty1]

So many similarities yet so many differences. Peculiar ain't it?.........

[@J.13333]

Except i dont wipe with my bare hand

[@shirwanmajeed8927]

زۆر جوان و بە سوودە ' سەرکەوتوو بیت

[@g68unit]

How the hell is multiculturalism an asset?

[@SI-cd7xs]

Europeans benefit the least from 'multiculturalism' and ethnic 'diversity'. The only ones who benefit from this integration are non whites. It's an asset to them but not to us.

[@DakkogiRauru23]

It depends on how you handle it. Regardless of background, skilled is skilled, peaceful is peaceful and loyal is loyal. In my country, multiculturalism helps way more than it hurt, because everyone contributes a larger variety of ideas. More ideas means more innovation which means more growth economically and culturally. Cultural divide is the danger but it's not really a problem if your state and your people know how handle co-assimilation and intermarriage.

[@Rebarjaff]

It's what you make of it.

[@DakkogiRauru23]

Wayne Wallace Said country definitely should not be socialist. Cultures (homogenous or otherwise) thrive best in a liberal society with strong private traditions per family. And there does need to be a bedrock to keep the nation and state stable enough so that people aren’t tearing each other apart. It also depends on what you mean by turmoil. Instability is inevitable from time to time no matter the composition of the state (unless your state is tyrannical).

[@echelon2k8]

It's not an asset, it's a divisive ideology.

[@15bjarnithor]

The war between the French and Uk is not the embarresment of Canadian history, the treatment of the indigenous population is...

[@Rebarjaff]

+15bjarnithor Also, you are right. I can't believe I didn't mention that part in my speech.

[@qqq3426]

+Rébar Jaff Very good speech man. Great job

[@dn2ze]

Coming from a Treaty First Nation Dene Native I bet you did..I like how you say "they " about Natives, Inuits and Metis..I think Most immigrants come here thinking it's gonna be like America but Colder till they see how much these 3 groups have strong Culture and Language like how most people don't know that Navajo and Apache of America use to be part of the Tribe plus you should read about residential schools too and highway of tears Multi-culture was set up because of our Natives,Inuits and Metis..

[@dn2ze]

pornboi yonkers I think you got mixed up with Native American not Canadian...you have some nerve to say "the aboriginals fought us for 400 years, don't baby them"..you should read Native History before saying such crap....

[@mayainverse9429]

if the american natives would have stopped warring with each other to form a sovereign nation it would have been easy for them to defeat a couple boats filled with peasants.

[@fromra8569]

Your goal is to make iraquis celebrate their differences? Make sunni, shiite and kurds hold hands and love and respect one another? Thats a tough one, Good luck with that. Unfortunately us humans are too tribalistic,, specially when it comes to politics, limited resources and who's going to get said resources. For some unknown reasonThe western world has been flirting with multiculturalism for decades, what a risky bet. I just hope it doesnt turn into a messy failed experiment and end up with a modern day middle east 100 years from now. Mired in civil war. In the end, were all human and were ALWAYS gonna hate our differences specially when it comes to politics. Maybe im not far sighted, , so i dont see the benefit. i see no benefit to ever diversifying the people youre going to govern. Sounds to me more analogous to divide and conquer. I am open minded to seeing the benefit, but i dont. If anyone can convince me i would actually appreciate it. And please dont use words like xenophobe, bigot, racist and all those damn labels. I am an immigrant my self. Like i said, i am just concerned about the future because in the end, were always going to be human and differences in language, religion, and culture will makes us ever more tribalistic, and violent. Problably the reason every nation and empire in history has always strived to unify their people by becoming ever less diverse. The reason why all thru history Lannguages, tribes and clans have been eliminated in the ever reaching goal of a unified nation and state. I love and supportrt diversity, but not too sure if diversity will ever support and love me or my clan.Anybody feel my concerns? Any takes? can somebody enlighten me without being offensive?

[@g68unit]

There's a clear reason why the west is flirting with multiculturalism. And it all boils down to one thing: welfare. Getting free things from the government. Leftists are extremely lazy, and they want to get handouts from the government, or from other hardworking individuals. They know that if the bring in immigrants from poor countries, they are going to be in a position to need help from the government. Thus, these third world transplants will vote for leftists. Leftists also tend to hate white people, because white people tend to be successful, and conservative. Thus, leftists want to completely destroy the west by allowing "multiculturalism" into their countries. And it all comes down to their own laziness and greed.

[@cadethumann8605]

Lo Mar I have one question: what do you suggest? I certainly hope you aren't vouching that people must reject ALL of their cultural background and expressions. Do not get me mistaken, I do agree to an extent that people should adapt to the system of the area they live in and not have their culture conflict with the rules. However, if the person is capable of adapting to the system, they can celebrate their cultural practices for all I care as long as they don't get in other people's way. (I guess you can say I'm for the melting pot) And in my opinion, having less diversity makes things less interesting. I enjoy seeing the various kinds of cultural things such as food (one of my favorites is Mexican), clothing, and even several practices such as with Buddhism and Judaism. I like seeing a variety of flavors of lifestyles as long as they don't cause any harm.

[@TheAllen501]

Is it a flattery to Canadians? LOL why is the Canada that I'm experiencing different from his version?

[@sarwaazeez1369]

Truely inspiring!

[@HAL-ol1lh]

.....For a smooth brain

[@knockitoffsusan8329]

6:05 as a Canadian myself, wtf are you talking about

[@Rebarjaff]

Do you have a definition of who a Canadian is? With the exception of Aboriginals who are the first nations of Canada, most Canadians either immigrated themselves or their parents, just like me.

[@echelon2k8]

​@@Rebarjaff Yes, a Canadian is someone who is a native to Canada. Those people who immigrated themselves to Canada aren't Canadian. Only an immigrant's Canadian born children can be Canadian, not them themselves. They will always be American, Chinese, English, etc, as the US, China, England, etc, is where they are native to. Current First Nations peoples were also the descendants of immigrants at some point in time, the same as with every other modern Canadian.

[@herotomillions4095]

@@echelon2k8 if you're accepted into Canada as an immigrant or a refugee, you're a Canadian regardless of what your birth certificate says. That's the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Multicultural Act states everyone is entitled to their own culture without discrimination or assimilation. Both these laws were codified by the Mulroney government in the 80s. Both these laws are policy and are as Canadian as maple syrup. If you can't agree with these laws, then you should look towards leaving the country because you're obviously an anti-Canadian

[@echelon2k8]

@@herotomillions4095 As Canadian as maple syrup, you say. Tell me, did the Canadian people actually vote for this particular multicultural maple syrup or was it undemocratically imposed on them like it was virtually everywhere else in the Commonwealth and all suspiciously at around the same time?

[@herotomillions4095]

@@echelon2k8 yes. Canadians democratically voted for the MPs who in turn propose and vote for the Laws and Motions. That's how responsible government works. See Heritage Minute

[@HasanYasarARICI]

Backstabbers has to live without a country!

[@nemamodgeddi5338]

You mean Kurds? Turkey had no right to infringe on Kurds in Turkey or elsewhere. Turkey is getting what it deserves in Syria.

[@peteradaniel]

This is too upsetting to watch knowing what trump has done.

[@HAL-ol1lh]

I feel you pain man. OMB

[@cloudatlasminer478]

I don't see what the problem with multiculturalism. Here in America, the problem is the media and how it portrays different cultures, creating borders in communication. Who cares what your ancestor were, if they were a king or a popper. If they lived in the jungle or a city with walls. Each person should be judged on their individual basis. Without out mixing cultures, the myriad of herbal knowledge, cookery, and housing ect, would be isolated and we would not have the "knowledge" resource of survival. Politics, religion, and economics are what I experience as the real issue. Multi views on politics and religion seem to be compelled by the media. Not the other way around. As a society i.e. A large community within a majority agreed upon border, there does not seem to be war. And within that community there can and does exist a population of individuals who can share resources such as the butcher, the house builder, hospital and basic education. Unless one group of thinking feels that another group of thinking does not deserve access to those shared resources. We can't all be farmers and we can't all be doctors. Who wants to be a doctor? We are forgetting that not all individuals who are brought up within a defined culture choose that culture as their lifestyle. Many people from a defined culture prefer to practice their beliefs within a society that does not force upon them laws that violate their freedom of expression. Only insecurity would drive a person to not accept another's beliefs. Extremism in any direction is not conducive for a community to function, unless that community thrives off chaos. The media thrives off chaos. I've never seen footage of civilians fighting against each other, unless those civilians are affiliated with a "gang" whether it be al-Qaeda or the bloods and crips in America, or the kkk. It's not multiculturalism that the problem, it's groups and their agenda vs. society as whole vs the media propagation of these views. Stereotypes and ignorance is the problem.

[@FadeHook23]

If race wasn't a social construct, multiculturalism wouldn't be such a no-no word. I have no idea why people care so much about the color of your skin?

[@lizdamienii3063]

Kaloop Spring Skincolor =/= race.

[@ahmadshaheen8971]

Unfortunately this speech has nothing to do with multiculturalism, the presenter talks about his story and the way he gets the Canadian passport and the degrees he achieves. he still needs to read more about multiculturalism and what social diversity means. Rethink your ideologies.

[@thehiddencode5686]

What a boring speech.

[@ROSN11]

Is this talk about anything except himself?

[@hughgallop]

this is so boring.

[@nashalive2714]

European history is the most bloodiest.

[@zenkaimusic54]

and you know this...how?

[@zenkaimusic54]

every continent has a bloody history. stop being a hypocrite and blame other people. take ownership for the shit your own people have done.

[@shadymerchant1198]

in terms of bloodiest it has to be asia not that im dismissing the terrible shit other nations and continents have done but in terms of sheer numbers it has to be asia

[@grizzlybear8976]

You mean middle eastern muslim history.

[@jameswitzen7487]

No the middle east was Christian and jewish at certain time periods still had a lot of chaos. The hypothetical jesus was in the middle east and born there. And in recorded history India, China and that side of Asia seems to have recorded a lot less violence in terms of numbers compared to that of World War 1 and 2 in Europe

[@eduardoroca1991]

So many xenophobes in the comment section.

[@4lfie-]

Xenophobia is healthy

[@lizdamienii3063]

erokk121 That's a good thing.

[@laurensahanna5826]

@@lizdamienii3063 ooh edgy

[@lizdamienii3063]

lawrence sahanna Thankyou.

[@laurensahanna5826]

@Wayne Wallace first learn to spell, secondly, to call japan homogenous is over generalizing at least since it does haveminority groups like the Ainu, thirdly, Multiculturalism isn't bad on its own, but how you handle such policies