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Call for Papers "Migration, Citizenship and Intercultural Relations" International Conference Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Asia Pacific Futures Research Network (Islam Node) Melbourne (Australia) 19-20 November 2009 __________________________________________________ Background The recent transnational turn in the study of migration has signified a shift in conceptual thinking and methodological approaches to researching migration, and post-migration communities. While previous research has focussed on isolated aspects of social networking, cultural adjustment, and economic empowerment, recent studies are beginning to examine the migration settings themselves, where modes of local, national and transnational practices are negotiated in the context of intercultural interactions. This Conference, therefore, proposes to examine outcomes of migration and immigration as essential dimensions for contextualizing discussions about national identity, intercultural relations and citizenship, and the formation and representation of cultural identity. Key Questions The Conference will attempt to address the following key questions: - With increasing diversity in a globalised world, what kinds of multicultural societies can we envisage for our increasingly diverse communities? - What kind of cultural and national identities will be formed within these societies and what role will they play in the public sphere? - Do transnational connections translate into weaker notions of local belonging or can they be used as a resource to strengthen local communities? - Do migrant and minority ethnic groups experience a sense of inclusion? How is this sense of inclusion recognised or manifested in a multicultural society? - Does government policy contribute to building a sense of belonging and inclusion among recent migrants and other ethno-cultural groups? - What type of intercultural relations exist in a culturally diverse society? - What is the role of these intercultural relations in fostering inclusive and ethical visions of citizenship? By organising this conference we hope to stimulate interdisciplinary intellectual debate policy/professional discussion and ongoing research collaboration that deals with citizenship, multiculturalism and intercultural relations. We welcome papers that address any of these issues from disciplinary or inter-disciplinary perspectives. The following streams will be used as broad thematic guidelines for organising the Conference sessions, and we would appreciate it if participants identify the relevant stream for their contribution. Contributors to the conference will be invited to subsequently submit their papers for publication in a special volume of the Journal of Intercultural Studies (JIS) on citizenship, migration and intercultural relations. An edited volume will also be explored as an additional or alternative publication output. Conference Streams 1. Multiculturalism, Identity and Citizenship International migration and the movement of international labour have led to an increasing number of nation-states becoming 'multicultural'. To what extent do these 'multicultural' states promote 'multiculturalism'? What constitutes a multicultural society in a mobile, cosmopolitan and globalising world? How do these societies deal with new migrants? It has been argued that multicultural societies encourage multicultural and transnational citizenship. To what extent is this true? What do these ideas entail and how do they differ from conventional notions of citizenship? How do these new forms of citizenship challenge traditional understandings of nationalism, belonging, membership and national identity? This stream seeks both theoretical and empirical papers which explore these issues and questions. 2. Race, Ethnicity and Intercultural Relations There is a growing interest and reflection on how we might live with cultural difference. Researchers and policy makers working within this interdisciplinary field draw on diverse theoretical insights, innovative methodologies, and rich empirical work to explore and understand the negotiation of race and ethnicity. Our aim in this session is to engage with these diverse strands of thought and practice to explore intercultural relations. We welcome papers on a range of themes that may include, local governance and intercultural relations, community action and intercultural relations, the politics of everyday encounter, intersections of race and ethnicity with other aspects of identity, everyday practices and strategies in material and virtual spaces/places, inter/cultural narratives of home and belonging, and the role of affect, emotion, nostalgia or memory in understanding intercultural relations. We welcome papers that address but may not necessarily be confined to these themes. 3. Transnational Work and Temporary Migration Temporary work migration, that is work migration without permanent residency rights, is nothing new. Yet there have been significant changes in the forms of temporary migration. It has, for example, become a significant component of migration in countries, such as Australia, which previously usually offered migrants permanent residency. Likewise temporary work migration has been reconceptualised recently. A body of literature, for example, now argues for temporary migration as a development strategy for the global South; and there are moves to conceptualize the rights of temporary workers in transnational terms. We are calling for papers engaging with empirical, theoretical and normative issues around this broad theme, including the implications for temporary migrants, the impacts of temporary work on 'sending' countries, and questions of transnationalism. 4. Muslim Diaspora in the West Papers addressing various aspects of Muslim migrants' settlements experiences in Western societies are invited. We encourage submissions from researchers working from interdisciplinary perspectives and engaged in both empirical and theoretical investigations. Papers addressing issues of social inclusion and more generally intercultural understanding in the context of Muslims living in Western societies are most welcome. 5. Moving Beyond Xenophobia: Race Relations and Social Inclusion There is renewed interest in the new forms of xenophobia that are manifesting themselves in the context of migrant communities and ethnic minorities. This stream welcomes papers that deal with this issue both from theoretical and empirical perspectives. At the heart of this stream will be discussions about the new forms of racism, the broader issue of race relations in multicultural societies and the social inclusion agenda in many émigré societies. 6. Transnationalism and Global Ethics Migration involves crossing the borders of nation-states and in the process becomes one of the primary transnational experiences individuals can undertake. What happens to transnational ties and connections, how migrants maintain transnational solidarity that transcends the nation-state, and how a new kind of cosmopolitan ethics can emerge as a result of such transnational practices are all critical themes that will be explored within this stream. Submissions Please send 250 word proposal/abstract with a short bio by 15 August 2009 to: Ms Chippy Sunil, Coordinator Email: [email protected] Abstracts will be refereed by the Organising Committee and will be notified soon there after. Contact: Ms Chippy Sunil, Coordinator International Conference on Migration, Citizenship and Intercultural Relations Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation Faculty of Arts and Education Deakin University 221 Burwood Highway Burwood Melbourne, VIC 3125 Australia Phone: +61 (0)3 9244 6658 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/icg/events/conf-2009.php __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
