12th Internatioanl Metropolis Conference 2007

12th International Metropolis Conference, 8-12 October 2007,
Melbourne, Australia

Seminar: Accommodating diversity: do current critiques of multiculturalism miss the point?
Convenor: Ellie Vasta

Throughout Europe there appears to be a retreat from the principles and policies of multiculturalism and a shift to approaches labelled as 'integration' and 'social cohesion'. These seem often to be euphemisms for a return to the assimilationist principles of the past, which had been largely rejected since the 1960s. There is a widespread view that pluralist or multicultural approaches to immigrant inclusion have failed and that a large part of the blame lies with multiculturalism and immigrants themselves. Similar debates are occurring in Australia whereas in Canada, multiculturalism is more socially entrenched. This workshop explored the ideological, political and socio-economic foundations and changes in immigration discourses (i.e. in policy and in the public discourse) in countries of immigration such as: Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Participants were invited to consider some of the following questions - what has failed in the recognition of cultural diversity and multiculturalism and how can integration or assimilation correct the perceived problems of multiculturalism? How can the ideologies and policies of integration and social cohesion, as currently proposed in some countries of immigration, incorporate cultural diversity? Would other concepts such as 'interculturalism' help or do we need to re-think multiculturalism? Why is multiculturalism more successful in some countries than others?


Papers given:

Amanda Wise, Centre for Research on Social Inclusion, Macquarie University - Download presentation [.pdf]

Farida Tilbury, School of Social Enquiry, Murdoch University, Western Australia - Download presentation [.pdf], Download paper [.pdf]

Ellie Vasta, COMPAS - Download working paper [.pdf]

Dr Robin Peace, Politics Programme, School of People, Environment and Planning
Massey University, New Zealand - Download presentation [.pdf]

Ms Yvonne Henderson, WA Commissioner for Equal Opportunity - Download presentation [.pdf]

Prof. Ulf Hedetoft, Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen - Download presentation [.pdf]

Dr Jack Jedwab - Executive Director Association for Canadian Studies, Montreal (Quebec), Canada - Download presentation [.pdf]