by Mohan J. Dutta, Pooja Jayan, Md Mahbubur Rahman, Christine Elers, Francine Whittfield
Center for Culture – Centered Approach to Research & Evaluation
The Christchurch terrorist attack urgently necessitates the development of strategies for addressing racism and hate[1]. The challenge of social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand is one of addressing the networks of disinformation that propel hate[2], specifically addressing the growth in anti-Māori propaganda, anti-migrant attitudes, and Islamophobia[3]. In addition to threatening social cohesion, disinformation and hate deplete human health and wellbeing of communities at the margins, multiplying manifold their experiences of marginalisation[4]. The threats to social cohesion are funded by powerful political and economic interests, and circulated through digital media infrastructures and shadow organisations[5].
[1] Besley, T., & Peters, M. A. (2020). Terrorism, trauma, tolerance: Bearing witness to white supremacist attack on Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand.
[2] Zimdars, M., & McLeod, K. (Eds.). (2020). Fake news: understanding media and misinformation in the digital age. MIT Press.
[3] Dutta, M. J., & Tuiono, T. (2019). Solidarity as the basis for anti-racist interventions. Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) white paper. Palmerston North: CARE; Lant, M., & Dutta, M. J. (2020). Connecting across cultures: A framework for anti-racist strategies in New Zealand rooted in Te Tiriti. Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) white paper. Palmerston North: CARE.
[4] Tremblay, M. C. The wicked interplay of hate rhetoric, politics and the internet: what can health promotion do to counter right-wing extremism?. Health Promotion International.
[5] Dutta, M. J. (2019). Understanding disinformation. New Naratif. Accessed online at https://newnaratif.com/understanding-disinformation/; Chadwick, A., & Vaccari, C. (2019). News sharing on UK social media: Misinformation, disinformation, and correction. Loughborough: Online Civic Culture Centre, Loughborough University;
CARE White Paper Launch Event:
Join us on Thursday, 17 March 2022 at 7PM (NZDT) for the release of the CARE White Paper: A Culture-Centered Approach to Community-led Social Cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand
Facebook Premiere Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/311510504299109
The launch will be presented by Professor Mohan J Dutta, Dean’s Chair of Communication & Director of CARE.
The White Paper is co-authored with Pooja Jayan, Md Mahbub Rahman, Christine Elers, and Francine Whittfield, CARE: Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation.
#CARECCA #MasseyUni #CultureCenteredApproach #Community #SocialCohesion #CAREMassey
Citation: Dutta, M. J., Jayan, P., Rahman, M. M., Elers, C., & Whittfield, F. (2022, February). A Culture-Centered Approach to Community-led Social Cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand. CARE White Papers, 14. https://carecca.nz/care-white-paper-issue-14-a-culture-centered-approach-to-community-led-social-cohesion-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/