The crisis of multiculturalism and the challenges for Nordic societies
Nordic Migration Research (NMR) and the Norwegian Network for Migration
Research (NMF) invite you to the yearlyNMR/NMF Seminar:
Time: Friday 12. October 2012, 12.00 – 15.30
Place: FAFO, Borggata 2B, Oslo
Various forms of contemporary crises manifest themselves and are responded to in a localized
Nordic context. The alleged crisis of multiculturalism may well be describes as a crisis of
homogenized nation- states or a crisis of social cohesion. Referring to the crisis as a matter of
failed multiculturalism or even the death of multiculturalism contains certain connotation to
the current debate and research of the subject of culturally diverse societies. Crisis has the
potential to disrupt and challenge the national homogeneity narratives whereby the ethnic
majorities of the Nordic nation-states have been discursively constructed as the norm. In
relation to this particular form of construction, ethnic minorities have been assigned the role
of the opposites, the others, against whom national identities have been shaped. This implies
that minorities have been constructed as deviants, and even as threats to the modern nation.
This seminar will address how the current crisis of multiculturalism and the construction of
“the others” may shape the future narrative of Nordic nation-states, through discourses and
practices that challenge the homogeneity narratives and the Nordic welfare states by making
visible diversity, multiculturalism and alternative modes of including ethnic minorities and
narrating the nation.
Programme:
Gavan Titley, Media Studies in the School of English, Media and Theatre
Studies in the
National University of Ireland, Maynooth: The crisis of multiculturalism – European and
national narratives.
Garbi Schmidt, Center for
Intercultural studies, Roskilde University: The crisis of
multiculturalism and the challenges for Nordic societies – Danish perspectives
Susanne Bygnes, PhD.student in Sociologi, University of Bergen:
Multiculturalism
Anne Britt Djuve, FAFO: Multikulturalisme på norsk?
For more information and registration: www.samfunnsforskning.no/NMR or
www.fafo.no/Fafo-seminarer/121012/index.html
Ambivalent