Family Forum

Intercultural Families

The challenges and opportunities

23 October 2004

Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mrs. Mary Coughlan launched an initiative to mark the UN International Year of the Family 10th anniversary 2004 by inviting religious organisations including the Bahá'í Faith, to 'consider supporting and marking this anniversary year in appropriate ways.'

The Bahá'í community in the Republic of Ireland considered what it might do in response. Three elements came to mind: firstly, the fact that there is a comparatively large number of intercultural marriages within the Bahá'í community; secondly, the probability that social change in Ireland is likely to bring about an increasing number of such marriages and thirdly, the fact that Bahá'í spiritual principles stress the importance of family and of racial unity. So it was decided to hold a forum on the topic of 'intercultural marriage'. This one-day forum was held on 23 October 2004 in the Bahá'í National Centre, 24 Burlington Road.

A full account of the day's proceedings is available - click here.

A report from the workshops is also available - click here.

SPEAKERS
The keynote speakers were a couple from the USA who are in an intercultural marriage themselves and who are experts in the field, Kim and David Douglas.

DAVID DOUGLAS
Throughout his adult life David Douglas has worked to build bridges between racial groupings in the USA. Born in a Chicago housing project in 1949 to an interracial family, he had a unique perspective from which to ponder questions of race in his homeland. David graduated from the University of Michigan where he studied psychology and education. He works professionally in education and devotes himself to community work to help end racial divisions and discrimination in society. He is the founder of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony, a successful grass roots, race relations organisation in his home town, Holland, Michigan and is the co-author of 'Marriage Beyond Black and White', described as an 'interracial family portrait'. David is married to Kim Douglas. They have two children.

Text of David Douglas's address to the Forum

KIM DOUGLAS
Kim is a creative writer and teacher and is greatly interested in the issues of family, race and the individual's role in improving society. She teaches at Hope College, Holland, Michigan and writes poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and features. She promotes the concept of race unity through project development and management, support group leadership, and curriculum development and implementation. Kim speaks widely on topics related to race and family. She is very involved in college and community activities and is a member of the board of directors of the 'Centre for Women in Transition' in Holland, Michigan.

Text of Kim Douglas's address to the Forum

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For further information please contact: info@bahai.ie