Thematic Case Studies
A second major strand of the Project has been the commissioning
of a series of Thematic Studies designed to re-examine specific
aspects of urban life' through an intercultural lens'.
They are:
- Tracking the Arts in a Changing
World
by Naseem Khan - When immigrants revive a city and
when they don't: lessons from American cities
by G. Pascal Zachary - The life trajectories of asylum
seekers and refugees
by Adam Mornement - Intercultural Social Entrepreneurship
by Lise Bisballe - Intercultural innovations in UK
business practices
by Lia Ghilardi - The role of schools in the intercultural
city
by Maurice Coles and Bob Vincent - Planning and Engaging with
Intercultural Communities
by Phil Wood and Margie Caust - Intercultural Sport
by Charles Landry - The Knowledge Base
by Peter Kenway and Jane Carr
The Road to Interculturalism: Tracking the Arts in a Changing World
by Naseem KhanAnxieties over racial integration that surfaced strongly after 9:11 have sharpened criticism of policies that focus on multiculturalism or cultural diversity. In this paper, Naseem Khan argues that it is incorrect - indeed, is even counterproductive - to identify social policy closely with cultural policy. The two as distinct, and demand different strategies. Basing itself on the testimony of a number of artists and the evidence of past programmes and projects, she argues that the road to interculturality starts with a wise response to diversity. It can be seen to lead, not to ghettoes, but to extraordinary (and integrated) new art forms. These provide a layered cultural richness, and add value and depth to British society.
This study has been published as a book and is available for purchase online, please go to Publications.
Naseem Khan has been involved with the development of Cultural Diversity for over thirty year - as writer, broadcaster, policy developer/analyst and administrator. In the early 1970s, she was co-editor of The Hustler, one of the country's earliest black community newspapers, and included many of the issues raised in her weekly column, Work in Progress, in The New Statesman, and her freelance work in The Guardian. In 1974, she was asked to undertake research into the arts of 'ethnic minorities communities' in the UK. The book that resulted - 'The Arts Britain Ignores' (1976) - provided the launch-pad for a reassessment of what constitutes 'British' culture and official cultural policy.
When immigrants revive a city and when they don’t: lessons from American cities
by G. Pascal ZacharyThe study will looks at three cities in particular: Oakland, California, Minneapolis-St Paul and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and ask the question of why, whilst all have received significant numbers of migrants over recent years, only two of the three have seen their fortunes revived. It looks at how immigrants don’t revitalize a city because (a) they do not come to in sufficient numbers, or achieve critical mass in terms of specific ethnic groups; and (b) those who do come but are not well integrated, educationally, socially and economically. It also discussed some of the efforts by civic leaders in the US to attract more skilled immigrants, and to gain more economic benefits from immigration-driven diversity.
Download When immigrants revive a city and when they don’t: lessons from American cities
G. Pascal Zachary writes the ThinkTank column on creativity and innovation for the New York Times and teaches journalism at Stanford University, where he is also a media fellow at the Hoover Institution. Zachary is the author of three books, most recently, "The Diversity Advantage: multicultural identity in the new world economy". He writes often about African affairs (www.africaworksgpz.com) and lives in California.
The life trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees
by Adam MornementThe study centres on six individual stories documenting the life trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees to the UK from different parts of the world. It will seek to show how they have tried to navigate the vicissitudes of life in the UK. It will explore the difficulties of arrival, getting settled down, the hurdles they have overcome, and the kinds of help they have had either from their own or the host community. It considers the extent to which their skills and qualifications are recognised and rewarded and their experience of prejudice. Finally it explores how they have each sought to be innovative and to contribute to the UK.
Download The life trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees
Adam Mornement is a journalist who has written for The Times, the Guardian, Condé Nast Traveller, Grand Designs Magazine, Regeneration and Renewal and World Architecture, and is the author of No Longer Notorius: the revival of Castle Vale 1993-2005
Intercultural Social Entrepreneurship
by Lise BisballeWhilst the most obvious location for intercultural exchange and innovation is in high tech industry/academia involving highly-skilled and well-connected people (ie the Silicon Valley model), the field of social enterprise also provides many opportunities for economic, social and cultural innovation. But who are the intercultural social entrepreneurs and what do they do? The intercultural social entrepreneurs seems to produce values and value at the same time – how do they do it? What are the benefits for the city and for the people living there? And would it be worth while for cities to invest in the work of the intercultural social enterprises?
Download Intercultural Social Entrepreneurship
Lise Bisballe is a freelance consultant based in Denmark. She began her career working for the Danish Refugee Council and then moved into the management of social enterprises concerned with the training and employment of migrants. She was the director of Kulturkaelderen and Undervaerket in Randers.
Intercultural innovations in UK business practices
by Lia GhilardiEntrepreneurship is one of the most visible routes for minorities and migrants to make their way in society but not much is known about the way in which cultural diversity is influencing the way in which business is done in the UK. This study explores new, hybrid and intercultural business models, traditions of management thinking; new organizational forms; financing of new business ideas; new product development and marketing strategies. It is based on interviews with entrepreneurs in two cities.
Download Intercultural innovations in UK business practices
Lia Ghilardi is the director of Noema Research and Planning. She is also an advisor to the European Commission on culture and regeneration. Her recent publications include: "Culture and Neighbourhoods, A Comparative Report" (1997), co-written with Franco Bianchini for the Council of Europe and "Why Cities
Need To Be Creative" in "Creative Thinking: towards broader horizons", Malta University Press (1998).
The role of schools in the intercultural city
by Maurice Coles and Bob VincentSchools may be the most important or even the only meeting places for different cultures within a city, and experiences gained there can have a powerful influence on our attitudes to others in later life. The study takes a critical look at education policy in the UK followed by a study of intercultural education in practice in the city of Leicester, ending with recommendations for policy intervention.
Download The role of schools in the intercultural city
Maurice Coles and Bob Vincent work for the School Development Support Agency in Leicester.
Planning and Engaging with Intercultural Communities
by Phil Wood and Margie CaustAn extensive study, published in association with the Academy for Sustainable Communities, arguing for a new approach to community engagement in the planning and development of diverse neighbourhoods. In summary, that planners and others engaged in the city-making professions must acquire skills in 'intercultural literacy'. It includes good practice case studies and practical techniques.
Download Planning and Engaging with Intercultural Communities
Phil Wood is a Partner in Comedia and Margie Caust works for the London Development Agency.
Intercultural Sport
by Charles LandryA study, drawing from examples across Europe, of how sport has become one of the most significant locations of intercultural engagement and co-operation.
Download Intercultural Sport
Charles Landry is the Senior Partner of Comedia.
The Knowledge Base
by Peter Kenway and Jane Carr
A review of currently available demographic, economic and social data relevant to diversity in the UK, an assessment of current gaps in knowledge, and steps to address them.Download The Knowledge Base
Peter Kenway and Jane Carr work for the New Policy Institute