Workshop on Migration and Diversity in Asian Contexts, 25 - 26 September 2008, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

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• Workshop on Migration and Diversity in Asian Contexts, 25 - 26 September 2008, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.

-- The increasing scale and quickening pace of transnational migration and mobility has brought about increasing levels and forms of social diversity in societies and communities in many parts of the world. In general, huge migrations and movements of peoples, along with their ideas, beliefs and practices, are taking place and resulting in unprecedented diversities of populations and communities living together. This has led to growing concern and widening debate on the ways and means of coping with difference. In Western "immigration countries" such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark and Holland in the European Union and others such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the concerns and debates variously focus around the discourses and practices of "multiculturalism", "integration", "rights and responsibilities", "social cohesion", "social inclusion", "cosmopolitanism" and "unity in diversity", with much attention paid to the often overlapping dimensions of class, ethnicity and religion. In contrast, there has been relatively little attention given to the growing diversity in countries, cities and communities in Asia. While issues and debates are also variously emerging over `multiculturalism’, `integration’, `rights and responsibilities’, `social cohesion’, `cosmopolitanism’ and ‘diversity’ in some of these Asian settings, their processes, meanings and significances need to be understood within their contexts which are constituted by highly distinct and varied postcolonial histories, cultures, geographies, and political economies. This research workshop has the following aims: 1. to explore and understand the changing landscape of migration and diversity in various Asian contexts, 2. to understand the emerging major discourses, debates and issues on diversity, 3. to examine current dominant approaches in scholarship, policy and practice on migration and diversity, towards better understanding and management of diversities in Asian contexts, and 4. to identify key areas for further in-depth research. Abstracts of papers should be received by 30 April 2008. The abstract should be no longer than 500 words and should include a description of the topic, theoretical focus, methodology, and (expected) findings. The author making the submission must provide the full name(s), affiliations, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors (please underline the presenter of the paper).

-- Acceptance of papers will be notified by 13 June 2008.

-- A draft of the completed paper should be submitted by 22 Aug 2008.

-- Abstracts should be submitted simultaneously to both the following: Lai Ah Eng (main organiser) arilae@nus.edu.sg and Francis Leo Collins (co-organiser) ariclf@nus.edu.sg