Research on diversity: recommendations for the future

 Recommendations for the future: Diversity and identity should be approached as multidimensional concepts. Need for clarifying its meanings. The power of diversity should be emphasised and taken as starting point. Governments should offer space for diverse identities. Rethinking the concept of full citizenship to include equality (equal rights) and recognition of diversity/difference. Interaction between [...]

Previous research findings

Research projects carried out up to date have given insight on: Pathways to social exclusion for immigrants in different types of cities. Migration processes. Immigrants and integration. Access to, quality and affordability of housing for migrants, and its impact on migrants’ integration. Research has shown the important role of housing systems in safeguarding social cohesion. [...]

Other European research projects on diversity, identity and social cohesion

Other research projects carried out at a European level are: – ERICarts: aimed at mapping national approaches, policies or strategies to Intercultural Dialogue in Europe, addressing the role of education, youth programmes, sports and culture. – IMISCOE : focusing on international migration, integration and social cohesion.

EU research projects on diversity, identity and social cohesion

Some EU-funded research projects have focused on social exclusion (its spatial patterns, dynamics causing it) and integration issues, examined in various contexts and especially related to immigrants and ethnic minorities: 4th Framework Programme projects: URBEX, BETWIXT, GESTION PUBLIQUE DE LA DEVIANCE, MIGRINF. 5th Framework Programme projects: SOCOHO, ENGIME, LIMITS, Changing city spaces. Other 6th Framework [...]

Territorial approaches in diversity policies

Migrants usually concentrate in certain areas of big cities, which are usually deprivation areas. Area-based approaches imply the development of measures in urban areas with an important concentration of migrants/ethnic minorities. BUT then, migrants living in areas not known as concentration areas (being the majority) may not benefit from these measures. To sum up, there [...]

Policy approaches according to the target group

Social policies may target society as a whole or specific groups: General social policy: general measures and programs without taking into account specific group characteristics.  Target group policy: programs and measures focusing particular groups. Positive measures. Both types of policies may increase inequality. This apparent inability to evade inequality is known as “the dilemma of [...]

Recognition and redistribution

The relationship between public, cultural recognition of groups diversity and economic redistribution centered one important debate in Social Sciences between philosophers  Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth.   Read more about Nancy Fraser Read more about Axel Honneth Axel Honneth conceives recognition as the fundamental, over-arching moral category, potentially encompassing redistribution. Nancy Fraser argues that the [...]

Focus on difference in diversity policies

Glastra (1999) distinguishes three policy approaches: 1. The deficit approach aims to reduce inequality between the dominant group (the norm group) and other groups in society. The risks of this approach are: if one tries to combat inequality, one creates inequality. The dominant group functions as a “norm group”. It is criticised for being too [...]

Cultural diversity as the focus of policies

   Multiculturalism Monoculturalism – Legal and political recognition of minority cultures and identities coexisting in a territory.   MEASURES: – Support to organisations – Quota regulations – Strong legal action against racist crimes – Empowering or protecting marginalized groups – UK, Nordic countries, Ireland, Slovenia It has become unable to create conflict-free, multi-ethnic societies. – [...]

Current framework of diversity policies

There is a common framework:             There are different approaches depending on the focus: Focus on cultural diversity Focus on difference Approaches according to the target group Territorial approaches