BBC Weekender - British values | Текст песни

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Yvonne: This is Weekender and hello…I’m Yvonne Archer!
Now what comes to mind if I mention the term “British Values”? Well,
that’s a question several people have been pondering since the recent news
headlines. Secondary School students in England may have to study core
British values – and that’s to help people live together in peace, respecting
each other and feeling that they are a part of society. Perhaps you heard those
headlines too?
Radio London news headline
“Compulsory lessons on core British Values could be introduced in secondary schools in
England as part of the government’s response to the London bombings. Ministers are setting
up a review to examine the idea with the aim of creating a more united society.”
Yvonne: The idea has come about as a response to the London bombings and as we heard,
the ‘aim’ – or goal - is to create ‘a more united society’. Here’s Bill Rammell,
The Higher Education Minister – and one of the people behind the idea of
teaching core British values. It’s clear what they’re trying to achieve, but is it
really clear what British values are?
Bill Rammell, Higher EducationMinister:
“What I think is clear, is there are a whole set of values around fairness, around democracy,
around civic responsibility that are intrinsic to how this country is developed. And I think if
we do want to have a peaceful, mutually respectful, cohesive society, then we need a better
understanding of how those ideas have developed.”
Yvonne: Mr Rammell is clear that fairness, democracy and civic responsibility – that’s
being a responsible member of society – are three values that are extremely
important. As he put it, they’re ‘intrinsic’ to England’s development. Those
values are so basic and important that England would be a very different place
without them. And we want a ‘cohesive’ society – where everyone is united.
IDENT:
Yvonne: For me, one of the most interesting things about living in England is that it
really is possible to meet people from almost any country in the world,
especially here at Bush House. So I asked a few friends, who’ve made
England their home, what comes to mind when they think of British values?
Here’s Sun Chen from China:
Sun Chen, China:
“You can see how well those historic sites are maintained. So I think maybe that’s part of
British values, is to respect their history and also respect their heritage.”
Yvonne: In Sun Chen’s opinion, respect for British history and British heritage, which
includes traditions, are core British values. And Sun Chen mentioned
‘heritage’ because he’s noticed how well the old buildings and monuments are
looked after.
Dima, who’s from Ukraine, had lots of ideas on what children should be taught
if they are given new lessons on British values. Which three does Dima talk
about?
Dima:
“I think one of the most important values is the devotion to democracy. I also think that a
very important thing about the way British people express themselves is the freedom of
speech. The other thing which I would also mention is the feeling of duty before society.
Basically, you try to be useful to the society and not just live for yourself.”
Yvonne: Dima mentioned ‘democracy’ and‘freedom of speech’. He also explained
what he means by ‘duty before society’ – which we could also refer to as ‘civic
responsibility’.
Finally, I spoke to Helen, who’s also from China. Which two core British
values does she think would be taught in schools?
Helen:
“Well I think British Values would include things like respecting each other; respect other
cultures and other human beings. And also, being very polite to each other. I think that’s
quite important – well, certainly for me!”
Yvonne: So for Helen, an example of those core values would be ‘respect’ for people
and other cultures, and being ‘polite’. Now, surely you’ve got to agree that
being polite is intrinsically British?!
Helen:
“And also, being very...

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