EVENT: Diversity Dialogues program July 2004

In 2004-5, the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Western Australia will be presenting a year-long research program entitled Diversity Dialogues. The charter of the Institute is to develop the research profile of the University, particularly by supporting and promoting cross-disciplinary programs focussed on important and topical issues.

We are planning two symposiums: in July 2004 and July 2005. The first will focus on ideas around globalization and politics, transforming organizations and institutions, with a particular focus on workplace and labour, activism, and human rights. The second symposium, in July 2005, will have a different focus: of the aspects of the personal and personal renewal, of social movements, sexualities, race and cultural difference.

The 2004 symposium will take place on Friday 30 July and Saturday 31 July at the University of Western Australia. It will be open for registration by academics and students, policy makers, unionists, and activists. The symposium is preceded by a day-long showcase for new researchers on Thursday 29 July, involving a session with some of our visiting scholars as well as the opportunity for postgraduates and early researchers to present papers on cutting-edge research, and to track developments and collaborations in the policy and implementation interface.

Our program is led by a multi-disciplinary team from Organisational and Labour Studies, Political Science, English, Communication and Cultural Studies, as well as our university's Organisational and Staff Development, Equity and Diversity centres. We aim to bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and activists with expertise and interests in diversity research, practice and experience to pool their knowledge about the conditions, theories and social movements that shape how people understand and respond to diversity, and to consider how to resolve existing dilemmas and develop new strategies. We are interested to explore the commonalities and the intersections as well as the collisions that can occur between groups making claims for social justice. Our scope is broad, ranging from the impact of globalization, through to the need for personal renewal.

Some highlights of this program include talks by:

*Joan Acker, Sociology, University of Oregon Title: "Organizing in Search of Diversity and Equality: Whose ends, what means"?

*Carmen Lawrence MP, Federal Member for Fremantle Title: "Fear and Public Policy"

*Gavin Mooney, Curtin University of Technology and Honorary Professor at University of Cape Town Title: "Can globalisation be socially just"?

Confirmed speakers in 2004 include: Joan Acker, Sociology, University of Oregon;

Didi Khayatt, Centre for Feminist Research, York University, Toronto;

Carol Bacchi, Political Science, University of Adelaide;

Rubina Jamil, Working Women Organization, Pakistan;

Gavin Mooney, Curtin University of Technology and Honorary Professor at University of Cape Town

Carmen Lawrence MP, Federal Member for Fremantle;

Christopher Newell, Medicine, University of Tasmania;

For more information please contact the Institute of Advanced Studies on 08 6488 1340 or [email protected], or consult our website at www.ias.uwa.edu.au for updates, program information and registration fees.

For map of venue please refer to http://maps.uwa.edu.au/crawley/display/5

For public lecture venues please refer to program on IAS website.