Conferences
AN EXPLORATION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC CHALLENGES FOR A SUSTAINABLE MIGRATION IN THE GLOBAL NORTH
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, RESEARCH GROUP ON SECURITY, RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONFLICT, UNIVERSITY OF ANTONIO DE NEBRIJA, MADRID, SPAIN.
18 APRIL 2023
CALL FOR PAPERS
THE GENERAL THEME OF THE CONFERENCE
The concepts of cultural diversity and cultural identity are at the forefront of political debate in many Western societies, including Spain. In Europe, the discussion is stimulated by the political pressures associated with immigration flows, which are increasing in many European countries, especially after the migration crisis of 2015. As for Spain, let us recall that the phenomenon of large-scale immigration has been unknown until very recently. Indeed, while during the 19th century and much of the 20th century our compatriots left en masse to seek a better future for themselves and their families, since the beginning of the 21st century, this trend has been reversed and Spain has become a country that receives immigrants in absolute numbers1. In this way, our country has become assimilated, also in this respect, to other member states of the European Union (EU). Thus, the flow of immigrants grew from year to year until reaching a peak of 5,751,487 people present in Spain in 2011, when this trend came to a temporary halt due to the severe economic crisis2. The upward trend resumed in 2014 and, in January 2021, there were a total of 5,800,468 resident foreigners in Spain (with a valid registration certificate or residence card), already surpassing the 2011 figure3. A good part of this number are resident foreigners in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, 950,368 people, in January 20214.
Coping with the cultural heterogeneity associated with these trends is thus one of the most important challenges facing our societies in the coming decades.
In this context, among the many facets of the immigration phenomenon, the discussion on the perceived costs and benefits of cultural diversity is quite rich. In general, social science researchers have paid much attention to the fact that immigrant integration patterns can significantly alter the design of public policies in the host society. One example of this issue is the sustainability of welfare state institutions in the context of multicultural societies. Indeed, cultural diversity can affect the sense of community and social solidarity that are fundamental pillars of modern democratic systems. This, in turn, could lead to the erosion of social consensus for redistribution and diminish political support for universal social programmes. Thus, it cannot be ruled out that public policies aimed at correcting horizontal inequalities between cultural groups could end up replacing vertical redistribution between social classes5.
In any case, the study of the patterns of cultural and socio-economic integration of immigrants seems of utmost importance, as these patterns determine how the expression of cultural differences is translated into individual behaviour and public policies. The imperatives that current immigration trends impose on European democracies bring to light a number of issues that need to be addressed6. What is meant by cultural identity and what models of cultural integration exist in the world and in Europe? What are the patterns and dynamics of cultural integration? How do these patterns differentiate between immigrants from different ethnic groups and religious denominations in host societies? What are the implications and consequences for public policy? What kind of institutional contexts are more or less conducive to the cultural integration of immigrants? In our view, all these questions are crucial for policy-makers when designing public policies and need answers from researchers, from a multidisciplinary perspective.
In the aforementioned studies, we have been able to see how, fortunately, there are no major conflicts in the Community of Madrid arising from the (mis)use of the Spanish language by immigrants. There are, of course, the usual problems that manifest themselves in the various facets of human life: education, the labour context, health care, etc. But when these problems have been of greater importance, their resolution has been channelled through the conflict resolution channels that our legal system offers to all citizens and residents in Spain without distinction, so that, as a general rule, conflicts have been aired in the courts. In addition, it can be seen that in Spain, apart from border situations in the south, which become more acute during so-called migratory crises, in light of the statistics published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, for example, in the Survey on Minorities and Discrimination (2016), the immigrant population in Spain does not feel particularly discriminated against or does not significantly report acts of harassment or violence due to their ethnic origin or migratory status.
This is our starting point, but as a research group, we must consider the future, and try to delve deeper into the conditions - especially public policies - that will make it possible for this situation not to worsen, or if possible, to improve. In other words, we need to look at the conditions for ensuring "sustainable" immigration, in the sense that it does not pose serious social and security problems for the host society. We will focus on the relatively rich and powerful nations of the so-called Global North, mainly in Europe, and Spain in particular, because of its proximity to us.
In order to channel this research and enrich it with contributions from academic scholars and researchers outside the SEGERICO group, we intend to organise a conference, the 18 April 2023, entitled: "An Exploration of Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Challenges for a Sustainable Migration in the Global North", which will be based on three panels.
1Hooper, Kate (2019). "Spain's Labour Migration Policies in the Aftermath of Economic Crisis". Migration Policy Institute Europe, p. 2.
2Community of Madrid (2018). Plan de Inmigración de la Comunidad de Madrid 2019-2021. Consejería de Políticas Sociales y Familia. Dirección General de Servicios Sociales e Integración Social, p. 10.
3.Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (2021). Estadística de Extranjeros Residentes en España. Observatorio Permanente de la Inmigración, p. 1.
4.National Statistics Institute. Estadística del Padrón Continuo. Datos provisionales a 1 de enero de 2021. Comunidades autónomas y provincias. Accessible at: https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177000&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735573002.
5.Yann, Algan; Bisin, Alberto and Verdier, Thierry (2013). "Introduction: Perspectives on Cultural Integration of Immigrants", in Algan, Yann and others (eds) (2012), Cultural Integration of Immigrants in Europe, Oxford, online edn, Oxford Academic, 24 Jan. 2013), p. 2.
6.Ibid. p. 3.
7."Problemas y conflictos derivados del empleo del idioma en el contexto de la inmigración en la Comunidad de Madrid", Lengua y Migración, monographic volume, available at: http://lym.linguas.net/es-ES/Home/LastVolume/lastVolume.
THE THEMES OF THE PANELS
a) a) Linguistic challenges for a sustainable migration
Increased migration is one of the main effects of globalization and has resulted in broader cultural and linguistic diversity. It is a generally accepted view that the ability to speak the language(s) of the receiving society usually plays an important part in the process of integration as it is a precondition for participation in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their new country. Integration into the host country requires special provision to enable migrants and their families to learn the language of the host country.
The arrival of relatively large numbers of immigrants in Europe necessitated the reform of educational measures to meet the needs of newly arrived immigrants. Educational systems play a critical role as a point of contact between immigrants and their new home country; teachers and other education professionals contribute to the socialization of the newly arrived migrants. European states have adopted various schemes and models for organizing access to education as well for improving linguistic skills for migrants including children and youths. The majority of EU countries offer language support classes for recently arrived migrants who are generally expected to learn the new language and culture quickly. The duration of the language support classes and the pedagogical support measures vary from state to state.
For this panel we invite papers that will examine the various models adopted in the European countries to address linguistic challenges faced by the migrants and what measures are adopted by the host countries for integration and sustainable migration through developing linguistic skills of the migrant communities.
b) Religious and other socio-cultural challenges for a sustainable migration
A mutual acceptance of diverse religious and socio-cultural norms is a pre-requisite for peaceful co-existence and sustainable migration in the host communities. Migration leads to the transfer of myriad of religious and socio-cultural norms and values to the host states. Both voluntary and forced migrants contribute to the cultural diversity of host communities through social interaction. However, the belief systems and socio-cultural norms of the migrants are not always accepted by the host states. Intra-cultural relations may result in racist or xenophobic attacks.
Notwithstanding the negative impacts of migration on host populations, there are examples where the host population benefit immensely from the migrants through cultural integration. Hence, their relations could be a catalyst for sustainable migration.
For this panel we invite papers that will explore the religious and socio-cultural challenges faced by the migrant communities as well as host states for achieving sustainable migration in Europe.
c) Legal and political framework for a sustainable migration
A legal and policy framework ensures the success of the implementation of sustainable migration. The legal and normative framework on international migration includes binding international law as well as non-legally binding best practices and principles. Although states possess the sovereign right to determine admission and residence of non-nationals on their territory, yet states have the responsibility under international law to protect persons who have entered their territory or come under their jurisdiction. Key international and regional frameworks and conventions have been adopted to provide safe and regular migration. The United Nations and the Council of Europe are the important actors in developing integration policies in host communities founded on the principles of democracy, rule of law, and human rights. Legal frameworks and agreements focusing on international cooperation in managing international migration have also been signed between sending and receiving states. Yet, there is growing consensus that a well-regulated and more comprehensive framework for managing international migration is needed for sustainable migration.
For this panel we invite papers focusing on any of the following three themes
1-The powers and responsibilities of individual states to manage movements of people across their borders.
2-Law and policy for the protection of the rights of migrants and their families, including persons who have been smuggled or trafficked
3-Law and policy for readmission and reintegration policies for persons who do not have, or no longer have, authorization to remain in a destination country
The selected results of all this research would be collected in a book published by Thomson-Reuters Aranzadi.
The Conference and the publication of the volume are promoted by the following Organising Committee:
Director: Prof. Dr. Carlos Espaliú Berdud. Full Professor/Main Researcher of the Security, Risk and Conflict Management Research Group at Nebrija University. Director of the Centre for Research on Security, Rule of Law and High Technologies at Nebrija University.
Members: Dr. Gracia Abad Quintanal. Coordinator of the PhD programme in Security and Risk and Conflict Analysis and Research Coordinator at the Faculty of Law and International Relations, Nebrija University; Dr. Ayesha Shahid, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Coventry University; Dr. Jordi Regí, Director of the Master's Degree in Access to the Legal Profession, Coordinator of the area of International Law and EU Law and Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Cybercrime; Sergio Raia, Secretary of the Centre for Research on Security, Rule of Law and High Technologies at Nebrija University.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION
Selection criteria
The selection of the abstracts and the final papers will be assessed by a scientific committee appointed by the organaising committee, on the basis of:
a) Coherence, rigor of the paper’s proposal.
b) Originality and innovative nature of the work.
c) Relevance to one of the pannels themes and the topic of the conference in general.
The papers could be written in both Spanish and English. Only one abstract per author will be considered. Panel proposals are not eligible and will not be considered. Joint submissions are possible.
Information to be included
Paper proposals must be submitted via EMAIL to: sraia@alumnos.nebrija.es. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 30 December 2022.
The following information must be included:
- An abstract, not exceeding 500 words
- A short biography (100 words) should be included in the abstract itself
- The pannel for which the paper should be considered (one pannel only)
- The author’s name and affiliation
- The author’s CV, including a list of relevant publications (max. 800 words)
- The author’s contact details, including email address and phone number
FULL PAPERS
Selected speakers should submit an advanced draft of their paper (max. 8000 words) prior to the conference. The quality of the drafts will be screened by the scientific committee, which may request amendments.
TIMELINE
- The deadline for submission of abstracts is 22 January 2023.
- Successful applicants will be informed no later than 3 February 2023.
- The deadline for submission of full papers is 30 March 2023.
- The conference takes place on 18 April 2023.
- The deadline for submission of final papers (to be included in the Thomson-Reuters Aranzadi volumen) is 30 April 2023.
REGISTRATION FOR THE CONFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION FEES
100€ - participation in person at the Conference
- Full access to all the conference content on-site
- Two coffee breaks and lunch included during the conference on 18 April 2023.
CERTIFICATION
1. The Conference Organising Committee will issue a certificate of attendance to those persons who wish to attend the congress and have formally registered but have not submitted a paper or whose paper has been rejected.
2. The Conference Organising Committee will issue a certificate of participation to those persons who have submitted a paper and have been selected, and have formally registered.
REGISTRATION FOR THE CONFERENCE The registration should be made in a link that soon will be available. The registration includes:
- Admission to all panels.
- Coffee break.
- Lunch.
- Certificate of attendance/participation in the congress.
PUBLICATION
After the conference, the organissing committee plans to publish selected high-quality papers in a volume published by Thomson-Reuters Aranzadi. Further details about how to submit papers for publication will be provided to all speakers immediately after the conference.
CONTACT
For further information, consult our website SEGERICO or please write to sraia@alumnos.nebrija.es.