Search

This paper discusses the contributions of Cultural Studies and Social Psychology to the debates on the challenges inherent to the promotion of intercultural dialogue in Europe, in the current context of intergroup relations among several Others, facilitated by factors such as the intensification of migratory flows and the enhancement of information and communication technologies. To this end, we associate concepts and categories from different theoretical perspectives in these fields, in order to articulate discussions about identity processes, alterity, social representations, collective memory, symbolic asymmetries, coloniality of power, being and knowledge, to (re)initiate debates on complex phenomena that are intertwined in the development of intercultural dialogue. Therefore, different understandings about the concepts of multicultural-ism and interculturality are presented, advocating the importance of a critical perspective in the understanding of interculturality, conceiving it as a project that starts from the experiences of the "subalterns", in order to seek the transformation of social, institutional and epistemic structures. This perspective allows people to (re)create different ways of being and relating to others, implying not only the mere recognition and tolerance of other cultures, but also their appreciation, in mutual dialogue and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the formulation of policy frames towards new minorities in France by analysing Lyon's membership of the European Commission's and Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities programme (ICP). Here, with culture accounting for 20% of Lyon's budget, emphasis is placed on the adoption of the Charte de Coopération Culturelle to use cultural institutions to implement difference-orientated policies. Critically, important issues emerge with this strategy. The effort to engage new minorities is hampered by significant apathy from cultural institutions in Lyon, and the limited geographical area of Lyon included in the ICP. Finally, institutions who engage with promoting interculturality co-opt existing organizations, with negative implications for the treatment of diversity in the city. This illustrates the problems with a European framework fostering a policy frame based on recognition for minorities in a context that has yet to fully embrace such policies at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International migration contributes to increasing cultural diversity in many European cities. Historically, migration studies have focused on the integration of immigrants foregrounding race/ethnicity and identity issues, limiting our understanding of intercultural diversity. A new paradigm focusing on relational patterns among groups is emerging, highlighting the importance of mutual relations, interactions and influences among residents of different origins and backgrounds, including the experience of both immigrants and autochthonous populations. The notions of superdiversity and conviviality have significantly contributed to this debate. This paper discusses how both were methodologically operationalized in multi-sited ethnographies carried out in Lisbon and Granada, during 2009–2012. Superdiversity and conviviality are the main theoretical frameworks used to understand how interculturality is lived and experienced at the local level. We reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, unpacking common assumptions about race, ethnicity and culture, specifically looking at the negotiation of difference in intercultural events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper revisits the contact hypothesis by assessing differences in generalized trust among participants of Turkish non-profit organizations and ethnically mixed organizations in Amsterdam. Most voluntary sector research takes the contact hypothesis at its core and assumes that the concentration of ethnic minorities in non-profit organizations is detrimental to learning generalized trust. These studies assume that diversity within organizations is better for developing generalized norms without examining participation in ethnically homogenous organizations. I address this gap in the literature by analysing the variance of generalized trust among organizations and their participants. I achieve this through the analysis of purposively designed survey data. The findings suggest that a contact mechanism at voluntary organizations is problematic and should not be asserted uncritically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]