Events

The conference is jointly organized by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Université Paris Cité (UParis), and is being hosted by the Asia Research Institute, NUS; with funding support from the NUS-UParis Grant.

Cities in Europe and Asia have become the focal points of changing migration patterns that are transnationally connected and socio-economically differentiated. This context has challenged pre-existing models of management of urban diversity. In parallel, the global rise of nationalist rhetoric has fed the stigmatizations of migrants and minorities and the implementation of a number of exclusionary measures. In response, a number of scholars and civil society actors are pointing towards the city as a key site to reflect on changing patterns of mobility, and on emerging models of diversity governance. Cities are not only spaces of everyday coexistence of individuals of all backgrounds, origins, values, and religions. They have also emerged as platforms for key political actors that operate on a multiple scale and form transnational networks of knowledge exchange, mutual assistance and advocacy. This conference, which will bring together scholars from Europe and Asia, will provide a systematic basis for collective reflection on diversity governance issues facing European and Asian cities. It intends to generate mutual insights and lessons that can be shared with civil society and policymakers in both regions. It will aim to advance knowledge on urban diversity governance from a cross-disciplinary and cross-regional perspective. Scholars in migration studies, urban studies, political science, sociology, geography, anthropology, and other relevant disciplines will discuss convergences and contrasts across Europe and Asia, identify emerging challenges and patterns of diversity governance.

Three topics will be articulated in order to uncover the key actors and power dynamics of urban diversity governance, and to identify policy insights.

• Urban settlements and diversity management. How have perceptions of ethnic neighborhoods evolved over time in Asian and European cities? What are the effects of housing policies in preventing segregation processes? How can diversity within the urban landscape be promoted as a resource?
• Urban policies targeted at migrants and minorities and their effects on urban inclusion/exclusion. How can educational, training and employment policies help the integration of migrants, refugees and disadvantaged minorities in the city economy? What are the obstacles preventing the economic, social and cultural inclusion of migrants? Which social and cultural policies can foster intercultural dialogue and the participation of diverse communities?
• Hostile cities versus cities of refuge. Can models/anti-models of urban diversity governance be identified? What is the role of particular political figures, civic and business leaders in creating open and welcoming urban environments? What are the factors driving emerging patterns of racism and xenophobia?

CONVENORS

Assoc Prof Kong Chong Ho
Yale-NUS College & Department of Sociology
National University of Singapore
E | ho_kc@yale-nus.edu.sg

Assoc Prof Marie Gibert-Flutre
Université Paris Cité, France
E | marie.gibert@u-paris.fr

Dr Jeremie Molho
European University Institute, Italy
E | Jeremie.Molho@eui.eu

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED

Instructions on how to participate in this online workshop have been sent out to registered attendees. Please write to valerie.yeo@nus.edu.sg if you would like to attend the event.