There have been over the last four decades many attempts to re-envision the evolution of multicultural societies and to redefine the place of the individual or the ethnic group in them. There have also been in some western countries a number of policies and social and cultural projects which, under the influence of pressure groups and social movements, have been introduced in response to cultural multiplicity and diversity. But as multiculturalism does not mean the same thing to different people, those visions, redefinitions and projects have often been incompatible, or even downright conflictual, with one another. With the new- immigration trends, the development of international networks of communication and trans-cultural exchange, and with the overall impact of globalization on local and national cultures, such concepts as culture, rootedness, belonging, nationhood, identity, and multiculturalism are becoming trickier, more and more challenging and problematic. The new demographic, social, economic and political contexts have made it a must to reconsider multiculturalism both as a concept and as a civilisational project. This conference seeks to explore the new meanings, dimensions and implications of multiculturalism, and to examine the reality and experiences of diversity under the new circumstances. We invite scholars from all disciplines to join us in this exploration. We welcome proposals relating multiculturalism to the following sub-themes: assimilation, integration, citizenship, exclusion, marginality, othering, plurality, nationhood, nationalism, transnationalism, patriotism, borderlands, cosmopolitanism, identity, minorities, globalization, representation, hybridity, repression, etc.

Proposals should not exceed one page, and presentations should not exceed twenty minutes. Please send proposals before 28 February 2009 to the following address: multiculturalismconference2009@gmail.com