Stepan Kerkyasharian - Multiculturalism and Australian Identity

SUMMARY:
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I’m excited to share this thoughtful talk by Stepan Kerkyasharian — a leading voice in Australia’s multicultural story. Stepan, who served as head of SBS Radio in the 1980s and later led the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission (he was also made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992 and is a fellow at UTS), walks us through how multiculturalism transformed Australia. He explains how the nation moved from exclusionary ‘White Australia’ policies to a deliberate multicultural path from the 1970s, emphasising unity rather than uniformity. Stepan highlights the legal and policy frameworks that supported peaceful integration, the differences between Australian, European and US approaches to diversity, and why recognising linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds matters for full participation in civic life. He also tackles common misunderstandings and controversies around the term multiculturalism, arguing it should be defended — like ‘democracy’ or ‘freedom’ — while being open to evolving meanings. This is a warm, clear, historically grounded talk that’s essential viewing for anyone interested in Australian identity, social cohesion and public policy.

RUMBLE DESCRIPTION:
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Step into an insightful presentation from Stepan Kerkyasharian on multiculturalism and Australian identity. Stepan — former head of SBS Radio (1980–1989), former head of the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission, a Member of the Order of Australia (1992) and a fellow at the University of Technology Sydney — offers a clear, passionate overview of how multiculturalism shaped modern Australia.

In this talk he traces the country’s shift away from exclusionary immigration and the White Australia legacy to the bold policy decisions of the 1970s and beyond. He explains Australia’s unique take on multiculturalism: unity without uniformity, a voluntary bond around shared political and institutional values rather than a melting pot. Stepan highlights the legal and policy foundations that helped integrate diverse communities, distinguishes the Australian model from European and US approaches, and addresses common misconceptions — including the mistaken idea that multiculturalism equals segregation or an ‘ethnic-only’ identity.

This video is perfect for students, community workers, policymakers and anyone curious about how cultural diversity interacts with democracy, rights and social cohesion in Australia. Watch, reflect and join the conversation: what does multiculturalism mean to you today?

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