Life Is a Project (LIAP) 2.0: An Intercultural Project-Based Concept Model for Building Social Cohesion in Culturally Diverse Communities

Abstract

Minority community groups around the world have been disproportionately impacted by the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research paper examines the concept and outcomes of a pilot program designed to help restore wellbeing and social connection within culturally diverse communities in Melbourne, Australia. The pilot utilised the ‘Life as a Project’ (LIAP) concept model, based on theoretical foundations of interculturalism, positive psychology, social prescription and project-based learning. A guiding principle of learn global, act local, was adopted to source creative social solutions from diverse cultures. A field survey of 13 participants from 6 countries of origin explores the social impact of the LIAP language immersion and intercultural project framework. Key pilot outcomes include reduced social isolation, increased intercultural bridging, improved optimism, wellbeing and quality of life. The study concludes with views on sustainable social programs, civic support, global learning and ideas for further research.

Keywords

intercultural projects / life is a project / social impact / social cohesion / project based learning / positive psychology / social prescription / cultural diversity

References

[1] Alarcão, Violeta; Candeias, Pedro; Stefanovska—Petkovska, Miodraga; Pintassilgo, Sonia; Machado, Fernando; Virgolino, Ana, & Santos, Osvaldo. (2023). Mental health and well—being of migrant populations in Portugal two years after the COVID—19 Pandemic. Behavioral Sciences, 13, 422.

[2] Benson—Rea, Maureen, & Rawlinson, Stephen. (2003). Highly skilled and business migrants: Information processes and settlement outcomes. International Migration, 41, 59-79.

[3] Black, J. Stewart, & Mendenhall, Mark. (1991). The U—curve adjustment hypothesis revisited: A review and theoretical framework. Journal of International Business Studies, 22, 225-247.

[4] Boaz, Judd. (2021). Melbourne passes Buenos Aires’ world record for time spent in COVID—19 lockdown . Available online: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021—10—03/melbourne—longest—lockdown/100510710 (accessed on 18 June 2023).

[5] Brown, Lorraine, & Holloway, Immy. (2008). The initial stage of the international sojourn: Excitement or culture shock? British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 36, 33-49.

[6] Cardinia. (2021). Cardinia shire. Community profile . Available online: https://profile.id.com.au/cardinia (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[7] Council of Europe. (2008). White paper on intercultural dialogue: ‘Living together as equals in dignity’ . Council of Europe.

[8] Dandy, Justine, & Pe—Pua, Rogelia. (2015). The refugee experience of social cohesion in Australia: Exploring the roles of racism, intercultural contact, and the media. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 13, 339-357.

[9] Ealing Council. (2017). Learning the language of success. Around Ealing . Available online: https://www.aroundealing.com/news/learning—the—language—of—success/ (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[10] Elias, Amanuel, & Mansouri, Fethi. (2020). A systematic review of studies on interculturalism and intercultural dialogue. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 41, 490-523.

[11] Ending Loneliness Together [ELT]. (2022). Strengthening social connection to accelerate social recovery: A white paper. Available online: https://endingloneliness.com.au/ending—loneliness—together—white—paper—socialconnection—to—accelerate—social—recovery (accessed on 19 June 2023).

[12] Ernst, Mareike; Niederer, Daniel; Werner, Antonia M.; Czaja, Sara J.; Mikton, Christopher; Ong, Anthony D., & Beutel, Manfred E. (2022). Loneliness before and during the COVID—19 pandemic: A systematic review with meta—analysis. American Psychologist, 77, 660.

[13] Hayward, Sally E.; Deal, Anna; Cheng, Cherie; Crawshaw, Alison; Orcutt, Miriam; Vandrevala, Tushna F., & Hargreaves, Sally. (2021). Clinical outcomes and risk factors for COVID—19 among migrant populations in high—income countries: A systematic review. Journal of Migration and Health, 3, 100041.

[14] Holt‐Lunstad, Julianne. (2021). A pandemic of social isolation? World Psychiatry, 20, 55.

[15] Holt—Lunstad, Julianne. (2022). Social connection as a public health issue: The evidence and a systemic framework for prioritizing the “social” in social determinants of health. Annual Review of Public Health, 43, 193-213.

[16] International Project Management Association [IPMA]. (2017). Life is a project: Project management as an enabling life skill . Available online: https://ipma.world/life—project—project—management—enabling—life—skill/ (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[17] Lakatosné Szuhai, G. Györgyi, & Baršić, Anton F. (2018). Intentional life management and project management in everyday lives: Empirical research. Obrazovanje za poduzetništvo—E4E: znanstveno stručni časopis o obrazovanju za poduzetništvo, 8, 9-24.

[18] Lu, Donna. (2021). Ill health due to loneliness costs Australia $2.7bn each year, report suggests . Available online: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/19/ill—health—due—to—loneliness—costs—australia—27bn—each—year—report—suggests (accessed on 16 January 2024).

[19] Malone, Glenn P.; Pillow, David R., & Osman, Augustine. (2012). The general belongingness scale (GBS): Assessing achieved belongingness. Personality and individual differences, 52, 311—316.

[20] Mansouri, Fethi. (2023). The future of migration, multiculturalism and diversity in Australia’s post—COVID—19 social recovery. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7, 100382.

[21] Merchant, Reshma Aziz; Tsoi, Chris Tung; Tan, Weng Mui; Lau, W.; Sandrasageran, Surein, & Arai, Hidenori. (2021). Community—based peer—led intervention for healthy ageing and evaluation of the ‘HAPPY’ program. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25, 520-527.

[22] Modood, Tariq. (2021). Can interculturalism complement multiculturalism? Multicultural Education Review, 13, 275-284.

[23] Naito, Yumi; Ohta, Ryuichi, & Sano, Chiaki. (2021). Solving social problems in aging rural Japanese communities: The development and sustainability of the Osekkai Conference as a social prescribing during the COVID—19 pandemic. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 11849.

[24] O’Sullivan, Roger; Burns, Annette; Leavey, Gerard; Leroi, Iracema; Burholt, Vanessa; Lubben, James, & Prohaska, Thomas R. (2021). Impact of the COVID—19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation: A multi—country study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 9982.

[25] Pietrabissa, Giada, & Simpson, Susan G. (2020). Psychological consequences of social isolation during COVID—19 outbreak. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2201.

[26] Pham, Thi Thu Le; Berecki—Gisolf, Jannecke; Clapperton, Angela; O’Brien, Kerry S.; Liu, Sara, & Gibson, Katharine. (2021). Definitions of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD): A literature review of epidemiological research in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 737.

[27] Project Management Institute [PMI]. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK^® guide) (7th ed.). PMI.

[28] Reddy, Y. Maheswara. Bangalore Mirror. 2019. Available online: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/this—yoga—teacher—was—ridiculed—when—she—began—her—effort—3—years—ago—now—has—400—followers—in—cubbon—park/articleshow/69866068.cms (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[29] Robinson, Neil. (2017). Life is a project: Enabling life skills in cross—cultural transitions . PM w world journal. Available online: https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp—content/uploads/2017/06/pmwj59—Jun2017—Robinson—life—is—a—project—second—edition.pdf">https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp—content/uploads/2017/06/pmwj59—Jun2017—Robinson—life—is—a—project—second—edition.pdf">https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp—content/uploads/2017/06/pmwj59—Jun2017—Robinson—life—is—a—project—second—edition.pdf (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[30] Sam, David L., & Berry, John W. (2010). Acculturation: When individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds meet. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5, 472-481.

[31] Saunders, Mark; Lewis, Philip, & Thornhill, Adrian. (2016). Research methods for business students (7th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

[32] Seligman, Martin. (2012). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well—being . Random House.

[33] SGS. (2019). Social Isolation in the southern Melbourne region. Available online: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/48fd14/contentassets/d153e9338d20483294be0062943d3dc2/attachment—documents/city—of—greater—dandenong———attachment—4.pdf" (accessed on 19 June 2023).

[34] Skevington, Suzanne M.; Lotfy, M.; O'Connell, Kathryn A., & WHOQOL Group. (2004). The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL—BREF quality of life assessment: Psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WHOQOL group. Quality of Life Research, 13, 299-310.

[35] Stead, Victoria. (2017). Doing ‘social cohesion’: Cultural policy and practice in outer metropolitan Melbourne. Critical Social Policy, 37, 405-424.

[36] Spiritus—Beerden, Eva; Verelst, An; Devlieger, Ines; Langer Primdahl, Nina; Botelho Guedes, Fabio; Chiarenza, Antonio, & Derluyn, Ilse. (2021). Mental health of refugees and migrants during the COVID—19 pandemic: The role of experienced discrimination and daily stressors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 6354.

[37] University of Salford. (2017). Global award for post—grad founder of ‘life is a project’ school . Available online: https://news—archive.salford.ac.uk/news/articles/2017/global—award—for—postgrad—founder—of—life—is—a—project—school.html (accessed on 27 January 2024).

[38] Verkuyten, Maykel; Yogeeswaran, Kumar; Mepham, Kieran, & Sprong, Stefanie. (2019). Interculturalism: A new diversity ideology with interrelated components of dialogue, unity, and identity flexibility. European Journal of Social Psychology, 50, 505-519.

[39] Versey, H. Shellae, Murad, Serene, McPhee, Isobel, & Schwarz, Willa. (2023). A Bridging—Community (ABC) Project: A community building social participation intervention among resettled refugees in Boston. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 24, 441-465.

[40] Ward, Colleen, & Kennedy, Antony. (2001). Coping with cross—cultural transition. Journal of Cross—Cultural Psychology, 32, 636-642.

[41] Waters, Lea; Algoe, Sara B.; Dutton, Jane; Emmons, Robert; Fredrickson, Barbara L.; Heaphy, Emily, & Steger, Michael. (2022). Positive psychology in a pandemic: Buffering, bolstering, and building mental health. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 17, 303-323.

[42] Weng, Enqi; Mansouri, Fethi, & Vergani, Matteo. (2021). The impact of the COVID—19 pandemic on delivery of services to CALD communities in Australia. ADI Policy Briefing Series, 2, 1-9.

[43] Zapata—Barrero, Ricard. (2017). Interculturalism in the post—multicultural debate: A defence. Comparative Migration Studies, 5, 1-23.