Cultural diversity should be a core tenet of humanity, says Deakin's new UNESCO chair
Media releaseDeakin University's new UNESCO Chair in Comparative Research on Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, Professor Fethi Mansouri, has many goals to achieve as part of his new role but close to his heart will be seeing cultural diversity accepted and embraced as a core tenet of humanity.
Professor Mansouri's appointment, is a coup for Australia and the University, and is a significant affirmation of Professor Mansouri's research expertise which focusses on the plight of people who are forced to move from one country to another, the issues they face when settling in a host country as well as the inter-relationships between the ensuing diversity engendered by human mobility on one hand and the corresponding policies adopted by the host society (and its many institutions) on the other.
Increasingly Professor Mansouri's focus has shifted from the experiences of forced migrants from the Middle East and North Africa settling in Australia to the global movement of people from one country to another.
"This new role is exciting but it will also be very challenging adding a new global dimension to the research program I am already undertaking" Professor Mansouri said.
Professor Mansouri is the Director of the University's Strategic Research Centre the Centre for Citizenship of Globalisation.
"The UNESCO chair is about improving the capacity of institutions to work globally and form partnerships with each other to deal with these problems which transcend the borders of any single state," he said.
"Indeed UNESCO sees clear links between its core mission and the UN Millennium Development Goals as they relate to and rely on improved intercultural relations as a key dimension of human development."
The Vice Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor Jane den Hollander, said the appointment was a major achievement.
"At Deakin, we are a culturally diverse community – it is at the forefront of everything we do," she said.
"We encourage our students to have a world view that is tolerant and open minded and which looks for context and solutions.
"It is fitting that a Chair of this prestige, which takes a global, cross institutional and cross disciplinary lead on a major international issue is located at Deakin, under the leadership, expertise and advocacy of Professor Mansouri."
Professor Mansouri said the research program to be implemented under the auspices of the Chair would be multi-disciplinary in its approach and comparative in its application.
"It will investigate the manifestations and implications of diversity and justice domestically, regionally and at the international arena," he said.
"There will also be a special focus on issues confronting African Diaspora communities, migrant youth and women, and therefore the UNESCO research program will necessarily draw on my recent and current collaboration with experts, NGOs and individuals from North Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Europe.
"Ultimately we hope to create a think tank and be a bridge builder between researchers, civil society and policy makers interested in the critical issues of cultural diversity and social justice."
Further information
Professor Mansouri has regularly argued for better integration policies for migrants and increased educational resources for youth and migrant youth especially. His research has called for young migrant youth to be better engaged into the wider society.
He has consistently called for cultural intolerance to be tackled as a matter of national priority.
He is currently leading many research projects including Australian Research Council projects on 'Muslim Religiosity in Secular Cities', 'Migrant Youth and Social Connectedness', and 'Intercultural Understanding in Schools'.
In 2011 and in partnership with the Federal Government and the Victorian state government as well as peak multicultural bodies, Professor Mansouri brought the UN Forum on Social Inclusion to Australia for the first time.
Professor Mansouri has also served as a global expert advisor to the United Nations (Alliance of Civilisations) on cultural diversity and intercultural relations. He is the editor of theJournal of Intercultural Studies and founding co-editor of the international journal on Social Inclusion.