SUSTAINING SOCIAL COHESION THROUGH INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES: ANALYSING THE PERTINENCE OF INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION IN MAURITIUS

Abstract

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which have an economic backwardness, fragile
ecosystem and social fabrics were mainly built on multicultural pillars. The features of
SIDS make social inclusion more important than ever in order to survive in the global
change. Mauritius, one of the small islands is still accommodating its multicultural
society. A system of education for a sustainable society has a pivotal role to play to
support a cohesive society. Fostering social inclusion in SIDS will enable such society
to be more cohesive and thus be equipped with the necessary inclusive mechanisms for
managing conflicts. In order to promote respect for and acceptance of diversity in
today`s societies, Intercultural Education is proposed as a powerful mechanism to
strengthen social cohesion. In section one, the vulnerabilities of SIDS will be
highlighted. In section two, the link between social cohesion and Intercultural Education
will be exploited. Section 3 will be focusing on the Intercultural Education Project
which was undertaken by the Mauritius Institute of Education(M.I.E). The methodology
for this article will be based on an analysis of policy documents, reports and interviews.