REPORT TO COUNCIL

                          SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                            ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES

                              September 6, 1995.




   RECOMMENDATION


   1.  Negative Media Coverage - Cultural Diversity

   At its meeting  on September 6, 1995, the  Special Advisory Committee on
   Cultural Communities expressed concern with several recent media columns
   such  as the attached "Neighbourhoods - People  are leaving town to find
   an  English-speaking street  for their  kids" and  "Race and  Language -
   'Fairy tale' melting pot has vanished".

   These  articles  and  their  focus on  the  perception  that non-English
   speaking immigrants are destroying our neighbourhoods and they lack  the
   ability   to  communicate   effectively  with   their   neighbours,  are
   disturbing.  While  the situation may  have been  applicable to the  few
   anecdotal incidents noted, the articles foment inter-cultural disharmony
   in the city as a whole by  not presenting the other side of the  issue--
   the many  success stories of   tolerance and integration.   The articles
   undermine  the  positive  efforts being  done  by  many  members of  the
   community, the City of  Vancouver and the Special Advisory  Committee on
   Cultural  Communities  towards  building  bridges  amongst  our  diverse
   cultural communities.

   We have learned from  the public consultation process  From  Barriers to
   Bridges  conducted by the Committee in  1993 and 1994, that any concerns
   in  the  community  about potential  racial  strife  are  matched by  an
   inspiring  level of  tolerance and  desire  to overcome  differences and
   embrace  other   cultures  by   building  upon  commonalities.     While
   intolerance may  exist, the vast majority  of our citizens  are not only
   tolerant, but care and do reach out to embrace other cultures.

   The  Committee believes diversity can  and does make  our city stronger,
   not  weaker.    The  instrument  to make  it  so  is  tolerance  and not
   intolerance.   Media has the  powerful priviledge of  reinforcing one or
   the other.  The recent articles sadly reinforce the negative.
     
   Report to Council
   Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities
   September 6, 1995                                                 Page 2



   Clause No. 1 (cont'd)


   The Committee believes in diversity and tolerance.  It believes in David
   Lam's ABC principle to become a good citizen:

        A is to accept and to be accepted
        B is to belong - belong to the community and country
        C is to contribute - contribute to the community

   The  Committee's  major goal,  endorsed by  Council,  is to  promote and
   increase  welcoming  and  inclusion   of  cultural  communities  in  the

   neighbourhoods and communities of Vancouver.


   The Committee believes  that media,  as community builders,  can do  the
   same.  We believe that presented with this challenge, media can do their
   part, not just in the choice  and point of view of what they  print, but
   also  in  ensuring  that  their  staff  are  provided  opportunities for
   diversity     sensitivity/awareness-raising      training,     improving
   accessibility  to information  on  city  initiatives promoting  cultural
   harmony, and other means.


   The Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities therefore

   RECOMMENDS

        THAT Vancouver  City Council write  to the Editorial  Board of
        the  Vancouver  Sun expressing  concerns with  recent articles
        which are  harmful to Council's promotion  of cultural harmony
        in  the City, and inviting  them to dialogue  with the Special
        Advisory  Committee  on  Cultural  Communities  regarding  the
        concerns and  opportunities raised in this  report for media s
        role in promoting cultural harmony in the city.




                                 "Eleanor Atienza"          
                                 Eleanor Atienza, Chair
                                 Special Advisory Committee
                                 on Cultural Communities.




   Report to Council
   Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities
   September 6, 1995                                                 Page 3




   CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

   The City Manager  notes the leadership  role that Council has  played in
   embracing and  celebrating the cultural diversity  of Vancouver citizens
   through its  various policies,  civic committees and  departmental work.
   Similar  concerns outlined by the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural
   Communities have also  been expressed  by staff of  the Social  Planning
   Department.

   The City  Manager encourages  Council  to support  the Special  Advisory
   Committee entering into dialogue  with the Vancouver Sun.   However, the
   City Manager suggests the more appropriate contact would be the Managing
   Editor, not the Editorial Board.