Guidelines for Interdependant Cultures

GUIDELINES FOR AN INTERDEPENDENT WORLD CULTURE

We, the assembled, on Saturday, June 25th, 2005, do hereby proclaim our determination to give meaning to life and to be a dynamic force in strengthening our sense of common destiny with the world at large.

Therefore, we offer 36 directives -- nine for each of four arenas important to the achievement of our stated goal:

A world where harmonious co-existence flourishes and prospers.

I. Researching Universal Principles: because increasing understanding of universal principles and the embracing of them supports the goal of unity and cooperation.

Nature of the Individual

1. The nature of the individual must not be bounded, and no one has the right to define another's individuality.

2. Every individual's inexorable seeking nature and drive to know and complete oneself must be encouraged.

3. The fundamental joy of individuality should strive to benefit self and others, and must be cultivated and celebrated.

Nature of Society

4. To solve problems and enrich our lives, everybody needs to come together and interact with other human beings.

5. All humans must reframe their worldviews to also include global interdependence along with their national, local, and other identities.

6. A healthy, well-functioning society must not countenance a disproportionate gap between haves and have-nots but welcome the participation of all of its members.

Nature of the Universe

Humanity must acknowledge that:

7. All living entities share a common source and destiny.

8. Any individual's shift in evolutionary position or physical composition influences a greater body.

9. The universe demands diversity for its continued expansion to realize infinite expression.

II. Developing Universal Persons: because the development of universal persons requires healing of illness and conflict, and enhanced interpersonal and expanded spiritual awareness.

Health and Healing

10. We must ensure every individual has the education and the means to attain access to clean water, nutrition, human settlements, and sanitation.

11. We must engage every person in the processes of identifying problems (physical, mental, emotional), their solutions and implementation, as well as the evaluation of outcomes for the future.

12. We must recognize that policy -- made at the personal through global levels -- must integrate mechanisms for responsibility, accountability, and capacity building.

Interpersonal Relations

13. Create environments that promote awareness of and appreciation for diverse worldviews as potential contributions to global solutions.

14. Honor the uniqueness of every person and culture as we discover and explore our common needs and mutually beneficial directions.

15. Provide educational and cultural experiences that open hearts and minds to the common humanity of all.

Spiritual Awareness

16. Recognize the inherent unity and dignity of all life.

17. Engage in constant examination of ourselves to make sure our energy and acts are focused and directed toward benefiting all communities of life on our planet.

18. Direct all our activities, hopes, and dreams and "attunement" toward and for our source, called by any name or no name.

III. Communicating New Realities: because art, education, and media exert an overwhelming influence on individuals and society.

Education

19 Education must include human rights, justice, peace, and environmental sustainability at local, regional, national, and international levels.

20. Education should be designed to inspire and empower positive action.

21. Education should inspire individuals throughout their lifetimes to be responsible for their contribution for a much better future for all life on earth!

Media

22. Informational media shall not sow mistrust of groups but shall publish balanced views and positive aspects; and entertainment shall strive toward these same goals.

23. Media shall communicate ideas that enhance the well-being of society.

24. Media has a responsibility to not mislead, but accurately inform its public to the best of their abilities.

The Arts

25. Art of the new civilization is based on universal principles of peace, justice, love, nonviolence, sustainability, balance of man/woman energies.

26. Art must recognize cultural diversity and promote solutions to universal problems.

27. Art must express individuality as well as collective concerns, and to awaken, inspire, energize, and catalyze change.

IIII. Implementing New Civilization: because we are determined to build a united civilization in which global peace, health, and prosperity flourish and where both leaders and communities promote and reward individual responsibility and cooperation, for the benefit of future generations.

Cultural Understanding

28. We must respect and promote the beauty and commonality of human diversity through dialogue and activism across regions, nations, and continents.

29. We must use education to build bridges of understanding that forge societal bonds that will impact future generations.

30. We must acknowledge our responsibility to inspire future generations to achieve the full potential of united human ability.

Community Involvement

31. We must teach a person to be responsible for his/her community.

32. We must promote and utilize successful actions that have brought about positive change in the community.

33. We must involve all community members, including children and the elderly, to build a stronger community.

Global Solutions

34. We must learn to think globally and act locally.

35. We must ask what we can do for our planet!

36. We must inspire, encourage, and reward responsibility at all levels!

Respect Culture Within the Social Web

In the offline world, respecting cultures is just common sense. Different ethnicities, different geographic locations, heritages, traditions, etc. are all around us. People come from different backgrounds; in my opinion, cultural diversity is what makes the human race a beautiful thing.

Similarly, the online world is full of different cultures; however most assume online cultures consist of the same factors that define culture offline. Sure social web users have diverse backgrounds that include religion, traditions, regional understandings, etc., but beyond these distinguishing elements lie cultures of each social network.

What does that mean?

People interact and consume information within a specific social network differently then they would others. For example, if you are on Twitter and link your Facebook status to your Tweets, do you often get people within Facebook telling you to stop spamming their feed with all your status updates? They might not even be involved with the same social networks as you and not understand that Twitter is about microblogging short posts.

In the case of Twitter and Facebook, these are two very different worlds. Facebook’s main landing page is a social stream of your network. Where folks can see photos, links, comments, events, etc from friends, family, and colleagues. This tends to be a more intimate interaction as posts are not limited to 140 characters like Twitter.

The point being, if one evolved within a given social network, they understand many social norms within that space that might not carry over to another space. If you tweet a lot, and carry that over to Facebook status updates, some might consider that spam. Or at the very least, see it as a social faux pas with that social space.

Social networks develop social norms within their space; be mindful and respect the given culture within that space.

Many large corporations hire anthropologists to understand the business etiquette of various nations in order to minimize the cultural gap. Here at Activating Word of Mouth, consider us your cultural consultant to the online world.

There are many spaces that have different cultures. Make sure you don’t take that fact for granted.

The Middle East is the most ancient region of human civilization

A region where Europe, Africa, and Asia meet. It is an unofficial and imprecise term that now generally encompasses the lands around the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea — notably Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria — as well as Iran, Iraq, and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Saudi Arabia). Afghanistan, Libya, Turkey, and The Sudan are sometimes also included. The term was formerly used by Western geographers and historians to describe the region from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia; Near East is sometimes used to describe the same area. While today about 92% of the population (292 million people) are Muslims, the Middle East is the geographic and emotional center of three of the world's great religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

This area comprises mountains, deserts, fertile plains irrigated by grand rivers, and seacoasts. Climatically, the Middle East ranges from the temperate Mediterranean coast, to the extreme heat of the arid desert areas, to snowy mountains. This variety of terrain produces a wide range of food ingredients.

World Ancient Cultures

THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE....

the GRANDEUR THAT WAS ROME

Culture of China

Chinese Culture is one of the world’s oldest and intricate civilizations with an ancient history of over 5,000 years. It covers a huge geographical area with traditional changes between cities, towns and countries and each sections sometimes divided into individual sub-cultures. The Culture of China is broadly denotes the common cultural foundation.

People of China

In China, many ethnic groups have existed but Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group. These groups have been incorporated within their neighboring ethnicities and many groups with the identity of Han have kept an individual linguistic and regional cultural tradition. Zhonghua Minzu is a Chinese term that is used to explain the view of Chinese nationalism in general and the traditional cultural identity within the community is recognized by the family name.

Languages Spoken in China

In China, languages mainly belong to the family of Sino-Tibetan, spoken by 29 ethnicities. Spoken Chinese has been compiled from a number of Chinese dialects since long. The most spoken languages are Mandarin(spoken by 70% population), Yue(Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Gan, Min, Xiang and Hakka. Non-Sinitic languages included Zhuang(Thai), Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur(Turkic), Hmong and Korean are widely spoken by ethnic minorities. In the Ming Dynasty standard spoken Chinese was nationalized, but it was until the Republic of China in the 20^th century, that there was any positive result in the idea of promoting a common language in China.

The standard of the written language was Classical Chinese being used for thousands of years in China, although in the ancient times it was reserved for the erudite scholars.

Chinese food is famous worldwide for its delicious taste and variety. It is perfect as a food because of its nutrition, colour, shape and appearance. Rice wine is the most popular dish in China. China is also the home of tea.

Vegetarian dishes

Asparagus and Mushrooms with Black Bean Sauce, Deep fried Bean Curd (tofu), Fried Bamboo shoots, Marinated Carrot Shreds, Stuffed Apples, Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls, Vegetarian Chow Mein, Vegetarian Ham, Vegetarian Eight Treasures, Vegetarian Wontons, Fried Rice

Chicken Dishes

Bang Bang Chicken, Bourbon Chicken, Creamy Curried Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken with Broccoli, Garlic Chicken, Steamed Chicken, Spicy Szechuan Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan (Fresh Mushrooms with Sliced Chicken)

Beef Dishes

Beef Chop Suey, Beef Stew, Beef with Broccoli, Beef with Satin Eggs, Boiled Beef, Braised Beef with Bamboo Shoots, Deep Fried Beef or Mutton Rolls, Ginger Beef, Pepper Steak, Sauteed Beef Strips, Stewed Beef Strips, Sesame Beef Filet

Egg Dishes

Egg Dumplings, Egg Pancake, Egg Rolls, Pancake with Egg Filling, Stir-Fried Egg Floss, Steamed Egg Custard

Noodles Dishes

Crossing the Bridge Noodles, Noodles with Fried Bean-Pasta Sauce, Shrimp Noodles, Lo Mein, Peddler’s hot and Spicy Noodles (Dandan Noodles)

Snacks

Chicken Wings, Boiled Dumplings, Crab Rangoon, Chinese New Year Cakes, Egg Bubble Soup, Five Spice Flavoured Spareribs, Hot and Sour Soup, Spring Roll, Stir-fried Milk, Sweet and Sour Spareribs, Sweetened Dough Twists, white-Boiled Pork with Mashed Garlic

Drinks

Chilled Berry Tea, Bubble Tea, China Girl, China White-1, China White-2, China Village Mai Tai, Chinese Cocktail, Chinese Mary, Double Berry Martini, Hot Tea Mix, Iced Apple Tea, Iced Tea, Wong Tong Cocktail, Salty Soyabean Milk Soup

Sauces

Brown Sauce, Chilli Sauce, Chinese Dry Sauce, Chinese BBQ Sauce, Hoisin Dipping Sauce, Hot Garlic Sauce, Lobster Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Peanut sauce, Plum Sauce, Sesame Vinegary, Spiced Pepper Salt Sauce, Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce with Brown Sugar, Sweet and Sour Sauce with Black Rice Vinegar, Szechuan Chilli Sauce

Soups and Stew

Chinese Cabbage Soup with Dried Shrimps, Egg Drop Soup, Stewed Beef Soup, Sparerib Soup, Stewed Chicken drumsticks, White Fungus Soup, West Lake Watercress Soup, Vegetarian Country stew, White Gourd Soup with Dried Shrimps

Chinese Dessert

Almond Cookies, Chinese Steamed Cake, Mandarin Orange Pudding, Sago Pudding with Red Bean, Bow Ties, Chop Suey Cake, Chinese New Year Cakes| Nian Gao

Ancient world Cultures

The great civilisations of the Ancient world were Egypt, Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia. The Egyptian collection contains some 2000 objects of which the most famous is the mummy and case of the lady, Takabuti. A small but interesting collection of Greek pots and other objects represents the brilliant society which flourished from 700-145BC. The Roman Empire, which was such a powerful force in the ancient world, is represented by some examples of Roman glass and imported pottery. Mesopotamia which was founded c5000BC kept its historical and commercial records on clay tablets written in cuneiform writing. Several clay tablets, seals and two votive plaques indicate the sophistication of the society which had such importance in the ancient world.

Attic Red-figure Calyx-crater. Scene showing Dionysos and women

Ancient Egypt
The great civilisations of the Ancient world were Egypt, Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia. The mummy of the lady Takabuti and her case represent the Egyptian collection of some 2000 objects. She was a married lady of about thirty years of age and she lived in the important city.

Mediterranean World
A small but interesting collection of Greek pots and other objects represents the brilliant and advanced society that was Ancient Greece, 700 – 145BC. Its vase painting, sculpture, and architecture had great influence throughout the Mediterranean world.

Roman World
Egypto-Roman textile of 5-6th century AD This is a rare piece of linen textile, probably part of a tunic, with tapestry details of men and hares, and was donated by Lady Mabel Annesley.

Mesopotamia
The civilisation of Mesopotamia was founded c5000 BC and quickly grew into a sophisticated society with palaces, temples and strong social organisation. Historical and commercial records were kept on clay tablets written in cuneiform writing which emerged c3000BC.

Pacific Ocean Culture

The Pacific Ocean takes up half the total expanse of sea in the world. Scattered across this vast area are collections of islands which are divided into the three culture groups known as Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. The inhabitants of all the islands were much affected by commercial exploitation and missionary activity during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Pacific collection provides interesting insights into the lifestyle and customs of the people and contains irreplaceable examples of native craftsmanship. Modern inhabitants of the islands have great pride in the works of their ancestors.

The Maori of New Zealand valued greenstone or nephrite which was found only on South Island. This large greenstone tiki has paua shell eyes and would have been worn by a Maori nobleman or his wife, 19th century. Donated by Mrs F. Sykes, 1933.

Easter Island
The tapa cloth figure is one of only three such figures which survive. It is one of the most striking images of Easter Island, the most remote of all the Polynesian group. It is made of folded rushes covered in barkcloth painted in black designs with orange on the face.

Marquesas Islands
When Captain James Cook visited the Marquesas Islands in 1774 he wrote ‘The Inhabitants of these Islands are without exception as fine a race of people as any in this sea or perhaps any whatever’. The men were tall and strong and the most noble had complete body tattoos.

Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islanders built large plank-built canoes. The planks were cut to fit closely together, holes were bored through the wood and they were lashed together with strong creepers. Finally the seams were caulked with putty nut to keep them watertight.

Vanuata, Melanesia
Music and dance played a large part in the lives of the Pacific Islanders. While the range of musical instruments was not great, all islands in Polynesia and Melanesia had several. This is a unique type of slit drum from Vanuatu in the shape of a standing male figure.

Gilbert Island
The Gilbert Islands are unique in having knives and weapons made from palm wood with sharks’ teeth attached by woven coconut fibre cordDagger and tool or weapon, Gilbert Island, Grainger Coll. pre-1890. The dagger has 15 pairs of bicuspid shark teeth bound with coir to pierced.

North and South American Cultures

The continents of North and South America exhibit every variety of climate and flora and fauna which exists. Millions of people of different cultures inhabit these great continents from the Inuit of the frozen Arctic to the Indians dwelling in Patagonia on the southernmost tip of South America. The artefacts of many of these different peoples are represented in the collection

America
The continents of North and South America exhibit every variety of climate and flora and fauna which exists. Millions of people of different cultures inhabit these great continents from the Inuit of the frozen Arctic to the Indians dwelling in Patagonia on the southernmost.

The Pacific
The Pacific Ocean takes up half the total expanse of sea in the world. Scattered across this vast area are collections of islands which are divided into the three culture groups known as Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

The Ancient World
The great civilisations of the Ancient world were Egypt, Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia. The Egyptian collection contains some 2000 objects of which the most famous is the mummy and case of the lady, Takabuti. A small but interesting collection of Greek pots and other objects represents the brilliaint.

The Armada Collection
Of the 130 Spanish ships that set out in 1588 to invade England, over 20 of them were wrecked off the North and West coasts of Ireland. The Ulster Museum owns the excavated remains of three of these ships, the galleass Girona which was wrecked at Lacada Point, near the Giant's Causeway,

Africa Cultures

Africa is the second largest continent in the world. Throughout the centuries African aritsts and craft workers have produced utensils, textiles, personal ornaments, weaponry and ritual objects used in everyday life. The Ulster Museum is fortunate to have over four hundred African objects dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Ashanti gold weights

West Africa
The art of weaving was established very early on the African continent. Textiles were made from many materials and a wide range of basketwork was made from leaves, bark and reeds. This coil woven conical hat from West Africa is covered on the outside with cut grassesHat.

South Africa
Africa is very rich in mineral deposits such as copper, iron, gold and silver. Knowledge of metal smelting began very early and by 400BC, the cattle herders and cereal growers of the savanna knew how to smelt iron. Smiths were both revered and feared for their ability.

Asian Cultures

The Asian continent covers a vast area which is occupied by many people of different races and language groups. The collection contains everyday items and those for more special occasions: some are connected with religious practices.

Shadow Puppet, Indonesia

India
The largest group of Asian objects come from India with many other parts of the Asian world represented by much smaller numbers. India has many links with Northern Ireland since colonial times and religious and everyday objects are well represented in the collection.Three large bronze...

Japan
A small but impressive collection from Japan comprises samurai armour, swords, a palanquin, netsuke, some fine ceramics and geological specimens. The kimono, the traditional dress of Japanese women, is still worn on formal occasions. This gold embroidered silk wedding kimono is one of the most sp...

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China
Over several centuries, missionaries and diplomats have established links between Northern Ireland and China. Four model Chinese junks were presented to the Museum by Sir Frederick Maze, KCMG., KBE., Inspector General of Chinese Maritime Customs and Administrator of the Lighthouse Department, 192...

Tibet is one of the largest gold producing countries in the world. The gold is found in streams and river beds and as seams in quartz rocks. Several temple musical instruments and some jewellery and teapots are contained in the Asian collection.Tibetan gold amulet set with turquoise

World Culture Days

The Penn Museum’s popular World Culture Days series is designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the rich cultural traditions found throughout the Museum’s galleries and, indeed, throughout the world. All World Culture Days are FREE with Museum admission donation.'

Turkish Delight!
26 September 2009
Visitors are invited to an afternoon of pure Turkish Delight! as the Museum celebrates the opening of His Golden Touch: The Gordion Drawings of Piet de Jong with a wider look at the culture of Turkey. The afternoon features Turkish dancing and music, plus an authentic cuisine demonstration, talks on ancient and modern Turkey, and crafts.

Peace Around The World
6 December 2009
Celebrate holiday traditions from around the world! Penn Museum International Classroom speakers present holiday traditions in various countries. The day also features international music and dancing, exotic face painting, balloon art, international family crafts, and free treats for children. Sponsored by the Turkish American Friendship Society of the United States, the Middle East Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Education Department’s International Classroom program at the Penn Museum.

Chinese New Year
23 January 2010
Usher in the Year of the Tiger with music and dance performances, food and martial arts demonstrations, games, workshops, arts, crafts, and children’s activities. The day culminates with the traditional Chinese Lion Dance grand finale in the Museum’s Warden Garden. Lion dancers and drummers from Cheung’s Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy wend their way around the upper courtyard to chase away evil and bring a year of good luck.

20th Annual Celebration of African Cultures
20 February 2010
The 20th Annual Celebration of African Cultures at the Penn Museum features music, dance, and audience participation. Museum visitors are also treated to timely talks by Penn faculty on pressing issues in Africa today. Performances include West African drums, dancing, and acrobatics performed by the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble.