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Call for Papers Theme: Urban Diversities Subtitle: Exclusion and Inclusion of Immigrants and Refugees at the Local Level Type: 20th International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations Institution: University of Milan Location: Milan (Italy) Date: 10.–12.6.2020 Deadline: 10.5.2020 __________________________________________________ Special Focus Urban Diversities: Exclusion and Inclusion of Immigrants and Refugees at the Local Level Local contexts are a crucial site for the management of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversities. It is at the local level – first in large metropolitan areas, but increasingly also in medium-sized cities and small towns – that what has been termed “superdiversity” becomes a crucial challenge. Thus, in an increasingly differentiated array of local contexts, cultural and religious diversity must be understood, negotiated, and managed vis-à-vis the assimilative pressures and expectations of receiving societies. Whilst in the last decades of the twentieth century, multiculturalism was the prevailing framework within which these issues were framed, today – at least in Europe – they are inserted in a predominant scenario of “multiculturalism backlash.” For this reason, the correspondent authorities responsible for the policies of immigration are forced to define new frames, narratives, and action guidelines. Among these responsible authorities, local governments are increasingly involved in the elaboration and mainly in the implementation of migration policies. The “multilevel governance of immigration” and the “venue shopping approach” converge in highlighting the growing role of local authorities in producing and implementing immigration policies, both on the control and the integration sides of foreign sojourners. Furthermore, the mobilizations by civil society actors, in favor or against migrants and asylum seekers, occur mainly at the local level; as well as the mobilizations by migrants themselves, and their struggles for recognition and rights that particularly take place at the urban local level. Decisions about the settlement of reception facilities, the admission of migrants to local services, and the construction of worship sites for minority religions involve local authorities. Cities of refuge (also called “Sanctuary cities” mainly in the American context) and cities of rejection are the two sides of the spectrum of different political orientations and policies. Hence, from a social point of view, it is mainly at the local level that ethnic, cultural, and religious diversities can be accepted, promoted, or rejected, allowing or hindering migrants to perform in public events and become part of the urban life. In recent years, the issue of the acceptance and inclusion has attracted much public debate, and also in this case the role of local authorities and urban societies has become crucial. In this framework, the conference will discuss the following issues: - The role of local authorities in immigration policy making and implementation; - The reception of different categories of migrants – including asylum seekers – at the local level; - Modalities of acceptance and/or refusal of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversities; - Mobilizations and activities in favor of – or against – immigrants and asylum seekers at the local level by the civil society; - The performance of diversity in the urban life through music, dance, fine arts, food, etc.: the “aesthetics of multiculturalism”; - Struggles for recognition: migrants’ activism and political mobilizations at the local level; - Immigration and local diversity: how the above mentioned issues could be influenced by specific local contexts of reception (e.g. big and medium-sized cities vs. small and peripheral contexts)? - The role of private companies, foundations, and NGOs in promoting the integration of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through local programs of corporate social responsibility. Themes The 20th International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations features research addressing the following annual 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 - The role of ethics in education - 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 examines 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 Submissions If you would like to present, start by submitting a proposal. You will need the following: presentation type, short/long descriptions, keywords, focus, themes, and biographical information: https://cgscholar.com/cg_event/events/D20/proposal/new Proposals are generally reviewed and responded to within 3-5 weeks. To ensure a response regarding acceptance in time to take advantage of the registration deadlines, be sure to submit you proposal at least 5 weeks prior to the registration deadline. Venue University of Milan Via Festa del Perdono, 7 20122 Milan Italy Conference website: https://ondiversity.com/2020-conference/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __________________________________________________
