Moving the debate forward: interculturalism’s contribution to multiculturalism

Abstract

In this article, we compare Ricard Zappata-Barrero’s interculturalism with Tariq Modood’s multiculturalism. We will discuss the relation between distinct elements that compose both positions. We examine how recent discussions on interculturalism have the potential to contribute to theories of multiculturalism without undermining their core principles. Our position is close to that of Modood’s as he has already carefully tried to incorporate interculturalist insights into his own multiculturalism. Yet we provide a raise a few questions regarding Modood’s treatment of the relation between multiculturalism and interculturalism. After summarizing each author’s potion (I), we will comment on the following set of relations between their basic elements: (II) The relation between intercultural contact and intercultural dialogue; (III) The relation between contact at the local level and the societal/state level; (IV) The relation between group-specific measures, intercultural contact and mainstreaming.

Creating Canadians through Private Sponsorship

“…Welcoming acculturation orientations are an important part of building strong social support for diversity. They are the foundation of productive intercultural contact, which is essential for society to grow and change and welcome newcomers into the fold (Boucher and Maclure, 2018). The closer relationships among different people are, the more they support a lessening of prejudice and a greater acceptance of diversity (Tropp and Pettigrew, 2011).…”

Social and individual preconditions for intercultural communication

“…The number of ethnic conflicts is globally on the rise, to a greater or lesser extent, among all religions and it has proven to be resistant to materialism. Obviously, intercultural communication is only a sporadic phenomenon without support in the policies of multiculturalism, while intercultural contact is only effective when it is supported by the multicultural policy of a nation-state (Boucher, Maclure, 2018). The synergy of social conditions and personal sensibility is necessary so that multicultural policies do not remain a "lost cause" especially in a "divided society" in a frozen conflict such is the case in Kosovo and Metohija.…”

“…Број етничких конфликта је у успону, у већој или мањој мери присутан је на свим континентима, међу свим религијама и показао се отпорним на материјалне услове. Очигледно да је интеркултуралнa комуникација тек спорадична појава без подршке у политикама мултикултурализма, док је интеркултурални контакт једино ефикасан када је подржан од стране мултикултуралне политике националне државе (Boucher & Maclure, 2018). Нужно је садејство друштвених услова и личне сензибилности како мултикултуралне политике не би остале "мртво слово на папиру".…”

Introducing Italy’s Intercultural Digital Media: Mapping the Landscape

“…Yet, Boucher and Maclure view the state as a key actor in providing institutional support for long-term intercultural projects (2018). The national level of politics, they argue, can also be the locus of important common goals formed around a collective societal project (Boucher and Maclure 2018).…”

“…Involving contributors of various immigrant backgrounds as well as practitioners of solely Italian descent, inter-cultural media assign importanceat least in principleto the practice of inter-cultural relations beyond the particularistic interests of specific 'ethnic' groups. While intercultur-alism has been discussed extensively in the literature as a framework for theoretical and normative approaches to cultural diversity (for example, Cantle 2011; Barrett 2013;Kymlicka 2003;Meer and Modood 2011;Boucher and Maclure 2018), the working of interculturalism in practice through the setting up of joint (media) activities (Rattansi 2011) grounded on common objectives has not been yet sufficiently explored. Therefore, Italy's intercultural digital mediaencompassing collective blogs, webzines, and news portalsrepresents an original case study for understanding and exploring the practiced possibilities of constructing more inclusive media spaces with the potential to reach out to a broad and diverse national audience.…”