Multicultural Politics: Success, Failure, and the Future

Will Kymlicka, Professor of Philosophy, Queens University, Ontario/Canada
Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy, University of Bristol/UK
Christian Joppke, Chair in General Sociology, University of Bern/Switzerland
Seyran Ates, Lawyer and Writer, Berlin

The rhetoric surrounding “multiculturalism” in Europe reached a breaking point in 2010 when three prominent heads of government in France, Germany and UK declared it as having failed. Much uncertainty surrounds the term and what is less clear is what should replace “multiculturalism”, should it have “failed”. Not all attempts to adopt various models of multicultural politics have taken root, or succeeded in achieving their intended effects. There are several factors that can either facilitate or impede the successful implementation of multicultural policies. Beyond cultural and religious tensions, also policies and opportunities around citizenship, education and social mobility are among those relevant factors.

This panel will take an in-depth look at what multiculturalism has meant traditionally in Western countries and what policies may be deemed multicultural. It will look at how these policies have developed and their impacts on social cohesion. Why does the idea of multicultural policy in Europe elicit fear of social disintegration and nurture the assumption of accommodating minorities? Through an informed discussion a debate on diversity, social cohesion, and inclusion in Germany as well as Europe should be put forward.

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Program

Wednesday, 14. November 2012 (18:30- 22.00 Uhr)

18:30  Registration (with identity card/passport) and Reception 

19:00  Welcome
           Eric Walsh, Embassy of Canada to Germany
           Peter Siller, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
           Ulrich Kober, Bertelsmann Stiftung

19:30  Multiculturalism – Various Approaches, Different Goals??
            Will Kymlicka, Professor of Philosophy, Queens University, Ontario/Canada

19:45  Alternatives and Options regarding Multicultural Policy
            Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy, University of Bristol/UK

20:00  Panel Discussion: The Pros & Cons of Multiculturalism
           Will Kymlicka, Professor of Philosophy, Queens University, Ontario/Canada
           Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy, University of Bristol/UK
           Christian Joppke, Chair in General Sociology, University of Bern/Switzerland
           Seyran Ates, Lawyer and Writer, Berlin

Chair: Christal Morehouse, Bertelsmann Stiftung

21:00  Discussion

21:15  Concluding Remarks
            Mekonnen Mesghena, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

21:30  Reception