NOTICE: Emerging Strategic Research Theme on Diversity Studies (University of Hong Kong)

I just received the following call for papers for on the Emerging Strategic Research Theme on Diversity Studies (University of Hong Kong). Note that the call appears to be over, but that the conference has not yet taken place:

RECOGNITION AND THE POLITICS OF IDENTITY AND INCLUSION
IN THE 21ST CENTURY: MANAGING DIVERSITY IN PLURAL SOCIETIES

28th & 29th April 2011
The University of Hong Kong

Migration has generated an increasingly borderless world which has challenged the nation-state model as an effective tool for the governance of multiplicities and the management of diversity. As the nation state is faced with the challenge of dealing with immigrants, non-nationals, refugees and others with newly emerging identities, there is a need to reassess existing frameworks for recognition of the claims of minority communities.

Whilst civil society movements over the course of the last century have helped secure legal recognition of the rights of minorities, the complexities of plural identities showcase the weaknesses of the current categorizations which form the basis for the extension or denial of rights. As a result, it is necessary to critically examine the resulting marginalization of individuals and groups on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, national minority status, refugee status, gender, age, sexuality, health, and disability. This conference seeks to explore the changing dimensions of the politics of identity and inclusion and their implications for governance and the protection of minority communities in plural societies. It will draw on the concepts of equality, non-discrimination, identity, inclusion, minority rights and human rights to address the comprehensive challenges posed by life at the margins of society.

THEMES:

The Conference solicits papers that address any of the following themes:

1. National, Multiple and Fluid Identities: The New Politics of Identity and Recognition
2. Religion and the State: Fissured Discourses on Secularism, Accommodation and Tolerance
3. Legal Pluralism and Cultural Diversity
4. Citizenship, Participation, Inclusion and Belonging in Diverse Societies
5. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Inequality

PAPER SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

People from all disciplines are invited to submit proposals for consideration. Please submit a 300 word abstract by 31 January 2011 to:

CONTACT: Puja Kapai
Email: puja@hku.hk

including the following information:

(a) Your full name
(b) Institutional affiliation
(c) Email address
(d) The relevant conference theme which your paper will address
(e) The title of your paper

Abstracts should be in Word format and the file name should be the author's full name.

The subject of the e-mail should be "Diversity Conference Abstract Submission" and should include a short CV. All submissions will be reviewed and the authors of accepted abstracts will be informed by mid-February 2011. Draft papers are due on 31st March 2011. Papers presented may be eligible for selection for publication in an edited volume.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For further information, please visit: http://www.law.hku.hk/diversity/