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Call for Papers Theme: Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations Type: 15th International Conference Institution: University of Hong Kong Location: Hong Kong (China) Date: 15.–17.7.2015 Deadline: 5.6.2014 __________________________________________________ This Conference has a history of bringing together scholarly, government and practice-based participants with an interest in the issues of diversity and community. The conference examines the concept of diversity as a positive aspect of a global world and globalised society. Diversity is in many ways reflective of our present world order, but there are ways of taking this further without necessary engendering its alternatives: racism, conflict, discrimination and inequity. Diversity as a mode of social existence can be projected in ways that deepen the range of human experience. The conference will seek to explore the full range of what diversity means and explore modes of diversity in real-life situations of living together in community. The conference supports a move away from simple affirmations that ‘diversity is good’ to a much more nuanced account of the effects and uses of diversity on differently situated communities in the context of our current epoch of globalisation. We are inviting proposals for paper presentations, workshops / interactive sessions, posters / exhibits, or colloquia addressing Diversity through one of the following themes: Theme 1: Identity and Belonging Individuals ascribe meanings to their personae, or meanings are ascribed to them by others and through processes of social categorization. Sometimes these processes are classified as exclusionary, either on a person to person affective basis, or through systemic or structural exclusion—hence classifications such as racism, sexism. At other times, inclusive remedies are prescribed to the injustices of differences, including for instances equity, access, multiculturalism, tolerance and recognition. - Dimensions of individual differences (ethnicity, gender, race, socio-economic, indigenous, religion, sexual orientation, disability) - Cultural history, oral history and cultural ‘renaissance’ - Dynamics of diversity (inclusion, exclusion, assimilation, integration, pluralism) - Social justice, injustice, and redress - Media representations of identities or groups - Intercultural relations - Experiences with “the other” (tourism, travel, exchanges, aid missions) - Exclusionary ‘isms’: racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, nationalism, capitalism - The ‘-isms’ with agendas: feminism, anti-racism, multiculturalism, socialism Theme 2: Education and Learning in a World of Differences The varied backgrounds and attributes of learners have an enormous impact on their engagement with learning and their educational and social outcomes. Learner differences cross dimensions that are material (social class, geographical locale and family), corporeal (age, race, sex and sexuality, and physical and mental capacities) and symbolic (culture or ethnicity, language, gender, affinity and persona). In this thematic area, we explore strategies for negotiating these differences, from the microdynamics of pedagogy, to the agendas of curriculum, the nuances of assessment, the organizational structures of the educational institution and its relations with the communities it services. - Dimensions of individual differences in learning - Inclusive education - Educational policies and practices related to diversity - Curricular and instructional frameworks for addressing diversity - Educating teachers, administrators, community members in diversity - Language diversity and learning new languages - Service or experiential learning and intercultural understanding - Multicultural, cross-cultural, international and global education Theme 3: Organizational Diversity ‘Managing diversity’ has emerged as a distinct agenda in the business and economics of diversity. This focus encompasses organizational diversity in private, public, and community organizations, including workplace culture, recruitment and promotion, human resource development, team work and relationships with diverse clienteles. Includes explorations of the impact of government and regulatory policies on the workplace. Explores the local and global diversity, as well as the full range of issues of diversity arising in workplaces, from gender, to sexual orientation, to culture and language, to disability. - Management: employment policies and practices - Beyond legislative and regulatory compliance: disabilities, workplace harassment, discrimination - Design issues related to access and accommodation of diverse needs - Mediation: cultural assumptions and practical outcomes - Markets and diversity: niche markets, customization and service values - Leveling the playing field: global economics, fair trade, outsourcing, and equal opportunity Theme 4: Community Diversity and Governance This theme examining the processes of governance and democracy in diverse communities. It explores the consequences of global human movement (e.g., immigrants, refugees) on local communities, and the development in response of multicultural policies and practices. It also investigates community self-governance and community capacity development. - Democracy and diversity: questions of representation and voice - Defining human necessities and insuring access: housing, medicine, food, water - Human rights, civil rights - ‘Mainstreaming’ or ‘integration’ versus services based on unique cultural identities - The politics of community leadership: challenges for local government - The globalization of human rights and local sovereignty Proposal ideas that extend beyond these thematic areas will also be considered. For more information please visit the conference website: http://ondiversity.com/the-conference-2015/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
