Catalyst Magazine: blog

Teaching Britishness – free resources

Catalyst web editor — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:59:27 +0000

A new learning programme for teachers of Key Stage 3 and 4 students has been developed by Morgan Stanley as part of their Great Britons competition. The purpose of the teaching programme is to take the political debate about what constitutes Britishness to classrooms across the country with the aim to encourage pupils to explore their views about what Britishness means to them.

The teaching resource and free lesson plans to downloads can be accessed at www.greatbritons.org/staffroom.

The Intercultural City

Catalyst web editor — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:17:50 +0000

The Intercultural City is a project that focuses on sustainable cities and the need for them to move from multiculturalism to ‘interculturalism’ – an idea that ‘goes beyond equal opportunities and respect for existing cultural differences, to the pluralist transformation of public space, civic culture and institutions’. Phil Woods and Charles Landry are the authors of a book to be published later this year by Earthscan.

The Intercultural City website has plenty of interesting content on the theory, including case studies and downloads.

The new Londoners

Catalyst web editor — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:35:38 +0000

The Institute of Race Relations reports that ‘A new paper circulating in London, The New Londoners, produced by refugees and asylum seekers, provides a strong, alternative voice for these marginalised and often vilified communities.’

Copies are being given out at central London stations or you can email nazek@migrants.org.uk

openDemocracy – a debate on multiculturalism

Catalyst web editor — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:37:02 +0000

openDemocracy have a number of recent articles on multiculturalism, prompted by an original article by Tariq Modood.

‘Tariq Modood’s revised view of multiculturalism, which incorporated topical concerns over national identity and Muslim difference, was the trigger of a vigorous debate. This started with a lengthy essay by Modood himself, drawing on his new book; among the respondees were Yahya Birt, Sunny Hundal, Paul Kelly, Nira Wickramasinghe and Sami Zubaida, before Tariq Modood replied in a further substantial contribution.’

Independent Jewish Voices debate

catalysteditor — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:56:05 +0000

Independent Jewish Voices are hosting the first of a series of meetings to explore the principles and themes of the IJV Declaration.

Forty Years on: Israel, the Occupied Territories and International Law

Thursday 28 June, 7.30 for 8.00, at the Lecture Hall, Brunei Gallery, SOAS. Tickets cost £7/£5. Speakers include Professor Susan Marks, Professor Malcolm Shaw QC, Sir Geoffrey Bindman, and Tony Klug. Contact IJV for more details and online booking.

London Literature Festival brings African literature and reggae poetry to the Southbank

Catalyst web editor — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:28:25 +0000

The Southbank Centre is hosting the first ever London Literature Festival as part of the reopening of the historical festival site. Sunday 8th July will be a day devoted to African literature, with talks, readings and discussions celebrating the finest writing from around the continent. The festival programme also promises to continue the rich mix of literary genres and performance styles throughout the week.

London Literature Festival: 29th June – 12th July

New eBulletin from the CRE

Catalyst web editor — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 08:49:09 +0000

The Commission for Racial Equality has a new monthly email newsletter. You can sign up online in order to receive the latest news on the Commission’s formal investigations, current research projects
and Parliamentary work, and read what they’re saying on headline
issues affecting racial equality and race relations.

With only a few months to go before the CRE’s work is taken
over by the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights,
eBulletin will also cover work on transition into the new organisation.

Religious identity in young people from mixed faith families

catalysteditor — Thu, 31 May 2007 09:39:33 +0000

Warwick University has begun a three-year project looking at young people (from 8 onwards) whose parents come from different faith backgrounds, how they come to identify themselves in relation to their parents’ religions, and the factors that influence their own religious beliefs. The study will focus on Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. It is UK-wide and data will be collected by email as well as through interviews (by phone or in person).

• Are you part of a family where different faith backgrounds are present and if so, might you be interested in taking part in the project? You can get in touch with the team for more information without commitment
• Do you know of any families who might be interested in participating?
• Do you know of any publications on this topic?
• Have you done, or do you know of, any related research?

For more information, email Dr Elisabeth Arweck on elisabeth.arweck@warwick.ac.uk or call on 02476 528 434.

European photo competition for diversity

Catalyst web editor — Mon, 21 May 2007 13:39:07 +0000

Entries are being sought for the European photo competition for diversity from school and university students around the continent.

Students are asked to create a photo or photo collage that breaks stereotypes, promotes diversity and appeals to a young audience.

First prize is € 3,000 for the winner and € 3,000 for the winner’s university or school. The runner-up will receive € 2,000 and the third-placed entry € 1,000. The best entries will be featured in a travelling exhibition across Europe.

Comparing apples and oranges

Catalyst web editor — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:05:26 +0000

Zia Haider Rahman argues on Comment is free that a debate about multiculturalism and separateness involving Kenan Malik and Trevor Philips didn’t work because it failed to define what multiculturalism actually meant.