The University of Saint Joseph offers lessons on inclusive culture

The Research Laboratory for Cultural Sustainability and the Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity are working to promote cultural sustainability and knowledge in Macau 

Sustainability discussions usually focus on environmental and economic issues, but cultural sustainability is also vital, says Denis Zuev, Coordinator for the Research Laboratory for Cultural Sustainability at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macau.

At USJ, researchers are working to document, study and preserve cultures and histories, as well as create a template for how to ensure cultural sustainability in other regions. The research laboratory has three broad research foci: cultural sustainability, history and heritage, and entrepreneurial culture.

“Culture is changing, cities are changing and urban culture is changing,” says Zuev. Macau, with its distinctive social and cultural history, is a particularly interesting case study. The city, which is a Special Administrative Region of China, was once a Portuguese settlement and has historically been a bridge between Asian and European cultures. “It is a complex city and it is changing very quickly,” he says. The change is expansive, from the vernacular culture among its people to architecture and green spaces, which are being removed to make way for new developments.

Collaboration is an essential part of USJ’s research agenda. Zuev believes it is important for Macau to sustain its cultural links with Portugal, not only because of its cultural heritage and history but also because it allows Macau to be a strategic bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Moreover, it is often difficult to reach every community in a place that is as diverse as Macau. “We’re collaborating with local associations, and they are important liaisons with government institutions, public bodies, as well as different kinds of entrepreneurs,” Zuev says.

USJ is a Catholic university and is part of an international network of Catholic universities, which creates more opportunities for collaboration. “Catholic culture has been an important part of Macau culture for the last 400 years,” says Thomas Cai, Director of USJ's Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity (XCMI). For Cai, the Centre is a special place to witness how two cultures came together and shaped the distinct culture in Macau. “It is a good place for us to see how inclusive culture can be created through dialogue between different traditions.”

The three main branches of research at XCMI are philosophy, theology and history. The Centre combines expertise in several disciplines, from history and theology to linguistics. “All of these approaches will help us to understand our identity in Macau as a meeting point of different cultures and religions,” says Cai.

Outreach is a fundamental part of the Centre’s work. “We are working with local communities to engage in dialogue between Christianity and modern culture, and then apply the theory to their work,” he says. Cai emphasises that reaching out to the local community, particularly the Catholic community, can provide insights into memory and how identity is shaped.

Through collaboration within USJ and partnerships with other stakeholders, the Research Laboratory for Cultural Sustainability and the Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity are working to preserve, cherish and promote Macau’s unique culture, Cai concludes.

Find out more about the University of Saint Joseph.