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Conference Announcement "Multiculturalism and Social Citizenship: Social Policy in a Diverse Society" Queen's International Institute on Social Policy Conference School of Policy Studies, Queen's University Kingston, ON (Canada) 20-22 August 2007 __________________________________________________ Is the Canadian diversity model in trouble? The celebration of multicultural diversity has become a defining feature of the country, but warning signs are beginning to emerge: growing economic difficulty among recent immigrants; questions about the social integration of the second generation in immigrant communities; new religious challenges to traditional values; growing residential segregation in some cities; tensions between some minorities and the police and justice system. Do we have the policy balance right? Traditionally, we have pursued two agendas. We have sought to respect cultural differences and to help minorities express their distinct identities and practices; and we have sought to integrate newcomers, bringing minorities into the economic and social mainstream, and strengthening the sense of mutual support and a common community. Is it time to shift the balance more firmly towards integration? Should we redefine the limits to the accommodation of difference? What is the role of social policy of social citizenship? National social programs have long been seen as instruments of pan-Canadian integration, part of the social glue holding the country together. Does this integrative role extend to ethnic and racial differences? Commentators in some countries insist that ethnic diversity is actually eroding the social solidarity that sustains the redistributive state. Is this happening in Canada? What is the role of core social programs such as education, income security and social services in knitting together the multicultural Canadian community? Topics: Session 1: Introduction: Multiculturalism and Social Citizenship: What are our Goals? What are the Challenges? Session 2: The Immigrant Experience: Economic and Social Challenges Session 3: The Second Generations and Beyond: What does the data tell us? Session 4: A Progressive's Dilemma? The Politics of Difference and the Politics of Redistribution Session 5: Social Citizenship and Education Session 6: Social Citizenship, Inclusive Services, Participation and Interaction Session 7: Social Citizenship and the Limits of Accommodation Contact: School of Policy Studies ATT: Mary Rodger Room 217, Policy Studies Building 138 Union Street Kingston, ON K7N 3N6 Canada Fax: +1-613-5336606 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.queensu.ca/sps/conferences_events/annual_conferences/qiisp/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
