text: intellectual development of nornal snall children, and some evidence shors that it actually enhances mental ag i l ity, 60. The language polici.es being adopted in countries throuqhout Ehe world are playing an important role in enhancing the self-imaqe of minority children. These policies are part of, a strateqy to increase pride in one,s o$n ethnic and cultural heritage as a means of providing a foundat.ion for t.he fuII developnent of the personali.ty. This, in turn. is ,,ridely viewed as a corollary to open and bealChy interaction betlreen indieiduals and groups .ith dleerse cultura} backgrounds. 6t. One naJor cause of the persistence of racism is the unconscious ethnocentr ism ot the doninant ethnic group in many coiintrles. Children ln doninant groups cend to lack opportunities for healthy lnteraction uith other groups and consequenCly grog up in a constricted closed systen that leads then to perceive the social norns of their tanilies as unj.versal norms to ehich other groups and countries aspire. within ttte context of a closed ctrcle of cosy ingroup values, didactic teachinq can be counte r-produc t i ve either because it iE relected as being out of touch witb reality, or because it leads to patronizing attitudes and behaviour. In order to learn that the dorninant culture in a given country is not necessariLy "best". children of f,hat culture need to experience the strength and values ot other culEural groups. FulI respect for people in nlnorlty groups can help to break dolrn one of Cbe main ethnocentric factors in racisn: Che internalized belief that the nost poeertul group nusC be the best. 62. within the context of an educational experience that provides to each group its oun self-respect, facts and values can be taught that denonstrate the scientific fallacy of racism and the rich ralue ot Che nulti-cultural heritage of humanity. A/40/694/Ad'd.L
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the importance of cultural diversity and multicultural education in promoting self-respect, understanding, and respect for minority groups. It highlights the need to break down ethnocentric beliefs and promote open and bealChy interaction between individuals and groups with different cultural backgrounds. The text also touches on the role of education in teaching facts and values that demonstrate the scientific fallacy of racism and the rich value of multicultural heritage.