Multiculturalism as important characteristic of contemporary education

The introduction of the multicultural principles in education is a result of common processes of modern societies’ democratization, requirements for law and respect of the Human Rights and Liberties, the process of globalization and the economic, technological, and cultural connection among peoples and countries. Multicultural education presents educational program which does not concern only certain minorities, but it also refers to the social groups as a whole, no matter big or small. It refers to every social group which has distinctive culture and to the disparate relations and attitudes that a group develops toward other peoples’ cultures. Some authors point out different models regarding multicultural education in Europe and the USA. Different attitudes towards multiculturalism in Europe and the USA arise from various conditions and situations of minorities. Along with these distinctions go the disparities in educational policy and attitudes towards multicultural education, values, needs, operationalization, etc. If the ‘educational ideal’ means formation of new citizen that would live in multicultural society, than ‘additional’ programs for education of children based on interculturalism and multiculturalism must be created. The subject matters of the ‘additional’ programs should be incorporated in every general educational subject. Schools should play an important role in encouraging multiculturalism, especially the multinational schools, because they are concrete educational institutions where children are taught proper behavior.