Debating Multiculturalism, Panel Discussion 4 - Multiculturalism: Where Do We Go From Here?

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:30 in Discussion Forums

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Where: University of Oxford, Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture, Regent's Park College, Pusey St, OX1 2LB
Date: 15th May 2013
Time: 17:30

Speakers:

Prof Ted Cantle, Coventry University
Prof Tariq Modood, University of Bristol
Prof Tariq Ramadan, Oxford University

Poster

Debating Multiculturalism, Panel Discussion 4 - Multiculturalism: Where Do We Go From Here?

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Abstract

This event is the final discussion in the ‘Debating Multiculturalism’ panel discussion series: four discussions led by prominent academics and practitioners exploring and evaluating multiculturalism as an ideology and political project.

This concluding discussion, led by three leading thinkers in this area, will explore the prospects for the future of multiculturalism, incorporating discussion of the related notion of ‘interculturalism’. Prof Ted Cantle, Prof Tariq Modood and Prof Tariq Ramadan will be considering the following questions:

In view of criticisms levelled against it, does multiculturalism have a future?
What are the alternatives to a multicultural approach, and are they desirable, or viable?
Does multiculturalism require modification to guard against the danger of social fragmentation?
Is ‘interculturalism’ an improvement on multiculturalism?

Biography of Prof Tariq Modood

Tariq Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol and is also the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship. He has held over 40 grants and consultancies (UK, European and US) and has over 30 (co-)authored and (co-)edited books and reports and over 150 articles or chapters in political philosophy, sociology and public policy to his name. Professor Tariq Modood is strongly committed to public engagement and is a regular contributor to the media and policy debates in Britain. He was awarded an MBE for services to social sciences and ethnic relations in 2001 and was elected a member of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2004. He served on the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain, the IPPR Commission on National Security and on the National Equality Panel, which reported to the UK Deputy Prime Minister in 2010.

Biography of Prof Tariq Ramadan

Tariq Ramadan is Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford (Oriental Institute, St Antony's College). He is Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies (Qatar) and the University of Malaysia Perlis; Senior Research Fellow at Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) and Director of the Research Centre of Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) (Doha, Qatar).

He holds an MA in Philosophy and French Literature and PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Geneva. In Cairo, Egypt he received one-on-one intensive training in classic Islamic scholarship from Al-Azhar University scholars (ijazat in seven disciplines). Through his writings and lectures Tariq has contributed to the debate on the issues of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He is active at academic and grassroots levels lecturing extensively throughout the world on theology, ethics, social justice, ecology and interfaith as well intercultural dialogue. He is President of the European think tank: European Muslim Network (EMN) in Brussels. Latest books: Islam and the Arab Awakening OUP (September 2012); The Arab Awakening: Islam and the New Middle East Penguin (April 2012); The Quest for Meaning, Developing a Philosophy of Pluralism Penguin (2010). Website : http://www.tariqramadan.com

Biography of Prof Ted Cantle

Ted established the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo) in 2005 and holds the post of Executive Chair. In over 30 years in public service, Ted has held a wide range of senior positions at a local level and has served on a number of national bodies focussing, in particular, on urban regeneration and key social and economic problems. Ted was the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council between 1990 and 2001. In August 2001, Ted was appointed by the Home Secretary to chair the Community Cohesion Review Team and to lead the review on the causes of the summer disturbances in a number of northern towns and cities. The 'Cantle Report', produced in 2001, made around 70 recommendations. The concept of 'community cohesion' was subsequently adopted by the Government and Ted was asked to chair the Panel which advised Ministers on implementation. He is presently Associate Director at the IDeA and a member of the Board of the Environment Agency for England and Wales. Ted has contributed over 200 articles and publications on a wide range of subjects including 'social capital', 'race and housing', and 'community cohesion' - which is the subject of his book: Community Cohesion: A New Framework for Race and Diversity. He was awarded the CBE in 2004.