The three days were an opportunity for individuals associated with U21 universities from across the world to come together and discuss theory, policy and practice in relation to ethnicity and multiculturalism. It was an initial step to encourage dialogue and the potential for collaborative international research. Delegates explored notions of cosmopolitanism, diaspora, education, political participation, immigration, transnationalism and multiculturalism. Papers also addressed issues of definition and policy. A particularly interesting paper by Christina Lee of the University of Nottingham was on Migration, Diaspora and Transnationalism in the Viking Age, a fascinating account of the issues relevant in the current period and how the Vikings were able to demonstrate them. Indeed, aspects of the language and culture remain in British society today.

On the final morning a range of policymakers and intellectuals working with policy matters were convened as part of a roundtable to discuss the key debates of the day, and in particular the various nuances of the British experience and how the rest of the world, particularly Australia and New Zealand related to it. This was an important opportunity to collectively engage with policy matters, and it also helped to forge links with individuals and institutions working with issues of ethnicity and multiculturalism, and the intellectuals active in this area and within their own country contexts.
 

Click here for the conference programme

Click here for the conference poster

For information about CSEC, click here