NEWS
New Initiative on Cultural Minorities
The New Security Foundation will host a joint roundtable with the UK Defence Academy on the subject of cultural autonomy on February 28th and 29th.
The event, which will take place at the Defence Academy’s headquarters in Shrivenham, will be "a serious attempt to assess the nature of the relationship between a state and its cultural minorities," according to New Security Foundation Chairman Dr Harold Elletson.
"In societies, which are increasingly multicultural and ethnically diverse, we need a new social contract between the state and cultural minorities, "said Dr Elletson. "There has to be a clearer understanding and acceptance of the duties and responsibilities that cultural minorities and the State have to each other.
"This debate, which raises all sorts of issues and has many important implications, is vital to the continued existence and viability of multicultural societies."
Dr Elletson revealed that the February roundtable was part of a joint programme, the aim of which was to focus research and debate on issues relating to cultural autonomy. The programme, which will cover such topics as legal issues, foreign policy, the role of the media and education, will involve academics, policy experts and community leaders from several countries.
