Hurriyet Babacan

TIES THAT BIND: MARRIAGE AND PARTNER CHOICE IN THE INDIAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA IN A TRANSNATIONAL CONTEXT

Transnational migration explores the realities of individuals, families, and groups whose lives are rooted in more than one nation-state. Peoples lives within this context are characterised by simultaneous connections and identities as they negotiate multiple host societies and transnational relationships. This article explores issues of partner choice and marriage among the members of the Indian community in Australia. Based on interviews with young people, parents, elders, and community leaders, we demonstrate that partner choice and marriage are complex, contradictory, and selective processes, influenced by transnational relationships. We explore how the context of the Indian diaspora alters the lived realities of individuals and communities and results in hybrid practices of marriage and partner choice. We delve into attitudes about marriage and the processes for partner choice including arranged marriages, love marriages, and assisted marriages. We argue that the construction of self in the context of migration is central to negotiations about partner choice. We explore key factors that influence marriages and partner choice, such as respect for family, reverence for the wisdom of elders, transmission of “Indian values,” family honour and social and community standing, expectations of family in India, and gender roles. We examine the notion of “assisted marriages” as a hybrid form of marriage that is seen as an acceptable solution in the resolution of tensions of difference and continuity in the context of the Indian diaspora.

Digital Technology, Diabetes and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: A Case Study with Elderly Women from the Vietnamese Community

Objective: To report the processes and outcomes of a case study on digital technology, diabetes and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Design: The qualitative study was based on a literature review, consultations and testing of a framework through workshops and an interactive information session. Setting: Consultations, workshops and an information session conducted in western regions of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Method: A framework was designed to address the needs of CALD community members to self-manage chronic conditions using innovative digital technology strategies. This was based on the literature review and 20 consultations held with representatives from health service providers and community organizations. The framework was tested with the assistance of the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple through consultations, workshops and an interactive information session about diabetes, YouTube and digital video cameras, in which 38 elderly women from the Vietnamese community participated. A descriptive and thematic analysis of participant feedback was conducted to determine lessons for future practice. Results: Participant feedback indicated that the information session achieved its goal of raising awareness of ways to use and access diabetes information using digital technology. However, participants noted areas for enhancement and improvement, including more focused and targeted engagement with peer-led techniques, the digital proficiency of participants and digital technology preferences based on age and cultural background. Conclusion: Digital technology was used to improve diabetes awareness information with elderly Vietnamese women, demonstrating the potential for application with others from CALD communities. However, there are continuing challenges in this approach, indicating the need for nuanced community engagement strategies that consider cultural context and familiarity with different kinds of digital technology.

A transformative approach to work integrated learning in legal education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current context, scope and problems in the provision of work-integrated learning (WIL) in legal education and how the adoption transformative pedagogies in WIL which is offered in legal education can foster personal and social transformation in addition to enhancing lawyering skills. The paper draws on learning from Australia, England and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The backdrop of this conceptual paper is WIL and transformative education. The text begins with a critique of existing WIL frameworks and practices in legal education in Australia, England and the USA. This exposes a focus on skills enhancement at the expense of social and personal transformation. Drawing on transformative learning, the paper proposes practices which can be used in WIL offered in legal education to enhance personal and social transformation. Findings – There is very little literature on how legal education and WIL in legal education can enhance personal and socia...

The Transformative Potential of an Internationalised Human Rights Law Curriculum

The increased interconnectedness of the world has resulted in the growing significance of relations between nations. This has caused universities to infuse the curriculum with international content. The absence of appropriate pedagogies is not likely to foster social and personal transformation to equip students with the necessary knowledge and motivation to respond to complex global issues concerning human rights and social justice. A social transformation model of internationalisation suggests that there is a need to reform the legal curriculum to foster individual and social transformation. Highlighting the centrality of critical reflection, dialogue and experiential learning and drawing on the literature of transformative learning and internationalisation, this article discusses how educators of human rights legal education can utilise the process of internationalisation to foster personal and social transformation. The suggestions outlined in this article are equally of significance to all legal educators desiring to implement emancipatory perspectives in legal education.

Enhancing civic consciousness through student pro bono in legal education

ABSTRACT A key aim of encouraging law students to participate in student pro bono, a form of experiential learning in legal education, is to develop their commitment to volunteer lawyering after graduation. This paper examines student pro bono in legal education in Australia and the United States. A critical review of the current approaches to student pro bono in both jurisdictions demonstrates that although student pro bono exposes students to lawyering skills, the absence of structured follow-up as part of student pro bono, results in limited changes to students’ attitudes to commit to volunteer lawyering. The benefits of adopting reflective activities as part of student pro bono are discussed. It is argued that transformative pedagogies can encourage critical consciousness and social transformation necessary for active involvement in volunteer lawyering after graduation. Teaching and learning strategies are suggested to simultaneously enhance social and personal transformation and to develop lawyering skills through student pro bono.

Ethnic Minority Groups in Healthcare Governance

International agreements such as the Alma Ata Declaration 1978, the Ottawa Charter 1986, and the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion 2005 have clearly established that everyone across the globe has the right to healthcare that meets their needs. These agreements also frame the focus of healthcare as being beyond clinical and curative healthcare services. The Ottawa Charter of the World Health Organization (WHO, 1986) states that ‘health services need to embrace an expanded mandate which is sensitive and respects cultural needs’. The statement also highlights the need for better connections between the health sector and the social, political, economic, and physical environmental components.

Cultural diversity and mental health

Objective: Cultural diversity and its impact on mental health has become an increasingly important issue in a globalised world where the interactions between cultures continue to grow exponentially. This paper presents critical areas in which culture impacts on mental health, such as how health and illness are perceived, coping styles, treatment-seeking patterns, impacts of history, racism, bias and stereotyping, gender, family, stigma and discrimination. Conclusions: While cultural differences provide a number of challenges to mental health policy and practice they also provide a number of opportunities to work in unique and effective ways towards positive mental health. Ethno-specific approaches to mental health that incorporate traditional and community-based systems can provide new avenues for working with culturally diverse populations.