In February 2011, David Cameron made the following speech on multiculturalism at the Munich Security Conference.
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron
In his speech he criticised "state multiculturalism" claiming it had failed and arguing that the UK needed a stronger national identity to prevent people from turning to all kinds of extremism. The speech created a row and angered some Muslim groups, while others questioned its timing amid an English Defence League rally in the UK.
Listen to his speech below. A transcript of the speech can be found here.
Tasks and Activities
Comprehension
- What are Great Britain’s three aims when it comes to its defence against terrorism?
- David Cameron considers terrorism carried out by UK citizens the biggest threat to Great Britain’s security. How does he characterise these terrorists?
- What measures does David Cameron support to combat terrorism?
- How does he distinguish between Islamist extremism and Islam as a religion, in other words political ideology and religion?
- He accuses the “hard right” of fuelling Islamophobia. How?
- David Cameron states that the “soft left” does not distinguish between the ideology of extremism and Islam. What does he mean by this?
- What are some of David Cameron’s arguments against the “soft left”?
- What does he consider the root of terrorism?
- What are the main reasons why young Muslims are drawn to extremist ideology?
- Why does he blame multiculturalism for this?
- What does David Cameron suggest that governments around the world do to make it impossible for extremists to succeed?
- What practical things should governments do to promote local identity?
Discussion
- Non-violent extremists are just as dangerous as violent ones.
- Universities are bastions of freedom of speech and democracy; therefore, all ideologies no matter how extreme should be allowed to be taught.
- Multiculturalism separates groups of people from each other, assimilation should be encouraged.
Research
Go online and check out the reactions to this speech. Note down some of the comments and who made them. What are some of the most compelling arguments? Write your own blog according to your convictions.
Suggested links:
Multiculturalism: What does it mean?
Cameron on multiculturalism: Blaming the victims
State multiculturalism has failed, says David Cameron
Row over David Cameron multiculturalism speech timing
Further Reading
Learning content
Current debates in the English-speaking world
What is core content and additional content?
Subject Material
Multiculturalism - A Challenge?
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThree models for a multicultural society
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumConsumerism
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumSocial Media and Political Change
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumRacism
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThe Death Penalty - A Brief History
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumSurveillance
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumEdward Snowdon - Hero or Traitor?
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTerrorism - a Violent Alternative
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumChild Soldiers
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThe Right to Bear Arms
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumIllegal Organ Donation
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumMulticultural Britain
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumOccupy Wall Street
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumPolitical Graffiti
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumMalala
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum"A Long Way Gone" Ishmael Beah
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumFilm: Bowling for Columbine
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumCrossing Dangerous Borders
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumGITMO - Guantanamo Bay
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumFood-related issues
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumGender Equality
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumMediatization and Politics
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumList of recommended films
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumRecommended list of novels
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum
Tasks and Activites
Multiculturalism - A Challenge - Vocabulary
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumConsumerism - Tasks
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumConsumerism - Project
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThe Death Penalty in the USA - True and False
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumViews on Today’s Death Penalty in the USA
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumPrefixes in Terrorism Vocabulary
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumChild Soldiers – Tasks
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumYouth Unemployment
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumMultinational Corporations - Project
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumOutsourced (film)
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThe Constant Gardener
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumHuman Trafficking
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTask - Guns and Democracy
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumThe Right to Bear Arms - Tasks
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumRole-play: The Right to Bear Arms
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumWorking with International Conflicts
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumConflicts – Project
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculum- Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum
David Cameron on MulticulturalismYou are here
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum Indigenous People in Multicultural Societies
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumPublic Protest, Vocabulary - Drag and Drop
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThey Said "No" - Project
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumWhere Do Racism and Prejudice Come From?
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum9/11 - The Neighbor That Disappeared
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumTerrorist by John Updike
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum22 July – Darkness at Noon
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumBlood Diamond (film)
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAids in Sub-Saharan Africa
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumFood - Tasks
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Glass Ceiling - Tasks
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum