Seminar: Inter-cultural relations in the Nordic countries

Links:

ucl.ac.uk/scandinavian-studies" target="_self">UCL Scandinavian Studies

UCL SSEES

Full seminar details

UCL Scandinavian Studies and the UCL School for Slavonic & East European Studies are hosting a witness seminar on 14 March 2008, to discuss inter-cultural relations in the Nordic countries.

The event will explore inter-culturality and inter-cultural relations, the importance of differences of ethnicity, race, language, religion and culture in the contemporary world, why cultural differences can lead to conflicts and how to prevent them, and the role of the state in promoting social cohesion.

Dr Mary Hilson (UCL Scandinavian Studies) said: "These are questions and problems that face all contemporary societies, but the aim of this seminar is to explore them in the specific context of four Nordic countries. The Nordic countries have for most of the twentieth century had a widespread international reputation for social cohesion and solidarity, achieved partly through the extensive welfare state. In recent years however they have undergone rapid social change, partly as a result of mass immigration. The different approaches towards integration policy in the region offer an opportunity to compare the impact of multi-cultural and assimilationist approaches, in the wake of the publicity and debates generated by the 2006 Mohammed cartoons affair."

A panel of expert 'witnesses' will give testimonies based on their personal experience of practical work in this field, as the basis for general discussion.

The seminar takes place from 2pm-5.15pm in the AV Hill Lecture Theatre.

To find out more, use the links at the top of this article

Image: Detail from the Helsingoer tapestry embroidered by women immigrants to Denmark to tell their stories.