Affinity Intercultural Foundation's National Social Cohesion Conference series titled “Enrichment through a Socially Inclusive Society: Challenges and Solutions” by Prof Desmond Cahill (Global Studies, RMIT) took place on 9 October 2011. The Australian community has undergone great changes in the last 25 years, including our emerging Muslim communities. However, this reality has not always been well understood or accepted. As a framework for living with cultural diversity, the idea of multiculturalism has lately come under increasing criticism,both in Australia and overseas.
Should Australia narrow its diversity and multiculturalism? OR Do we choose to enrich it towards a universal pluralism, building on the challenges presented to us by the multi-faith and multi-cultural nature of our societies?
This conference, which comprises a keynote public address followed by 2 consecutive days with workshops, seeks to explore how to work towards a socially cohesive society in the context of contemporary realities and challenges.
Issues to be addressed are:
• Multiculturalism and Social Inclusion: Similarities and Differences
• Diversity in Australian Social Landscape
• Citizenship in a Pluralistic Society
Details of the Keynote Address are as follows :
Date : Sunday, 9th of October 2011
Time : 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue : Room BA-23.G.30 (LT03) - UWS Bankstown
Cnr Horsley Rd & Bullecourt Ave (entrance via Bullecourt Ave), Milperra
Cost : $15
(Light refreshments included)
Details of the Workshops are as follows :
Date : Monday, 10th & Tuesday 11th of October 2011
Time : 9:00am - 4:30pm
Venue : Rooms BA-23.G.40 (Conf 1) & BA-23.G.41 (Conf 02) - UWS Bankstown
Cnr Horsley Rd & Bullecourt Ave (entrance via Bullecourt Ave), Milperra
Cost : $50 per day
(Or Alternatively $90 for Day 2 and 3 OR $100 for all 3 days)
The Workshop topics include the following :
- Education in Social Cohesion
- Islamic Law and Social Cohesion
- How does Media affect Social Cohesion?
- Citizenship in a Pluralistic Society
- Diversity in Australian Social Landscape
- Importance of Interfaith Dialogue in Creating Social Cohesion
- How shall the Refugee issue be handled from a Humanitarian Perspective ?
- Multiculturalism and Social Inclusion: Similarities and Differences
This conference is co-organised by the following institutions
- Affinity Intercultural Foundation
- University of Western Sydney
- Macquarie University
- Sydney University
