An Inevitable “Clash of Civilizations”? – Three Approaches to Cultural Diversity

26. June, 11:30 a.m., Pumpenhaus
Hosted by European Institute for Comparative Cultural Research (ERICarts)

How is cultural diversity conceived in a time of globalization? How can “otherness” be thought of today? Which approaches to cultural differences can we observe? How do media talk about these topics? Which images do they paint and what is their effect?
The workshop will address these questions. In summary, we differentiate between three ways of coping with cultural diversity:

• Separate cultures (implying clear social and spatial divisions between communities that are often considered culturally homogenous); multiculturalism, “clash of civilizations”;
• Cultural convergence (leaning towards assimilation or "melting-pot" concepts);
• Cohesive diversity (which is able to deal productively with intercultural crossovers or "hybrid" lifestyles).

This workshop intends to start with an examination of these three approaches based on a concrete example: biculturalism at schools in the Lusatia region (Lausitz), the main settlement area of the Sorbian minority in Germany. Together with the participants, the panel would then like to look into additional cases, where either homogeneity is postulated or intercultural diversity recognized as an asset, e.g. in news reporting, regional planning or local governance processes. In this context, the discussion will explore the structures which confine different experiences, sensitivities, and competencies or, in contrast, support efforts leading to an open intercultural dialogue.

The workshop aims to increase the sense of responsibility among the participants and aims at highlighting the creative potential of media, politics and research, following a diversity awareness concept.

Panelists:

Jacobs, Dr. des., Fabian
Research Fellow, Department of Empirical Cultural Studies and Anthropology, Sorbian Institute, Bautzen, Germany

Tschernokoshewa, Assoc. Prof. Elka
Head, Department of Empirical Cultural Studies and Anthropology, Sorbian Institute, Bautzen, Germany