Globalization is a process of integration of regional economies and cultures into a global network of trade. Nations integrate into the international market in terms of technology, trade, culture, capital flows or investments. Globalization has many positive effects but it also lead to negative effects if not treated properly. Some of these negative effects are lose of a nation’s culture and tradition, and increased immigration (Ferraro, et al, 1998:295).
This paper will give a brief summary of an article titled “FNC presses educators on protection of national identity” written by Khalaf Hala and Habboush Mahmoud. The Federal National Council (FNC) was concerned about lose of cultural and national identity by Young Emirates due to globalization. The council realized that the young Emirates especially the school-aged were adversely affected by the dangers of globalization and wanted to know the step taken by the national educators to curb the problem. A member of FNC noted that teachers were not concerned about the extensive use of the internet by the students and that the ministry of education had failed in implementing the same. Students extensive use of the internet was seen as a contributory factor to the children lose of identity and one way to curb it was to force the students to use the library in their academic research.
He also noted that, these dangers were contributed by the astonishing development of the UAE. There are many nationalities living together and the Emirates constituted only 16.5% of the entire population in the UAE. To address this, the government had already formed the Federal Demographics Council which was aimed at promoting national pride. The principle of Al Assayel primary school, Latifa al Hosali praised his school for promoting national identity but emphasized on the importance of its inclusion in the curriculum. She said “We already have social studies and geography books that develop national identity, but honestly, the more activities we can cultivate around that the better” (Khalaf & Habboush, 2009:12). She observed that, more classes should be included in the curriculum to enlighten the children about their culture, and tradition, thereby minimizing the threat of the dangers of globalization.
From the discussion I noted that the major contributing factor of the dangers of globalization is the internet. Many people have adopting culture and traditions from other nations due to the influence they get while surfing the internet and through international trade. The old and valuable tradition has been neglected and people tend to imitate other cultures (Blum, 2007:93). This is not an exception to the young Emirates who have adversely been affected by it. One member of FCN noted that, the only option left for teachers it to discourage their students from using the internet and to enlighten them on the dangers of globalization since it would be difficult to completely prevent them from being affected by then. Having the understanding of how globalization negatively affects them would help them to shun away from its dangers (Sindic, 2008:3).
Today almost all nations depend on the global economy. Governments are finding it difficult to respond to their domestic issues as their used to do. There have been many trade agreements that influence the performance of member countries and which put restrictions in the use of their monetary and regulatory policies. It is the responsibility of both the parents and the society to conserve the national pride, tradition, and culture. This does not mean living old fashioned lives, but it simply means preventing our identity from being influenced by external forces, and extending the same to the children (Eriksen, 1999:2). This can not happen if culture is not stimulated and managed properly just as plants have to be watered and given manure for them to grow.
Reference List
- Blum, Douglas W., 2007, National identity and globalization: youth, state and society in post-soviet Eurasia. New York: Cambridge University Press
- Eriksen, Thomas H., 1999, Globalization and the politics of identity, UN Chronicle [Online].
- Ferraro, Vincent, et al, 1998, “The Global Trading System and International Politics.” World Security: Challenges for a New Century. New York. St. Martin’s Press, Inc.
- Khalaf, Hala & Habboush, Mahmound, 2009. FNC presses educators on protection of national identity [Online]. Web.
- Sindic, Denis, 2008, National identities: are they declining? [Online].