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Aleidis Devillé

SUPERDIVERSITY

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• Evolution in most European countries in less than a century:− Composition of societies evolved from

‘limited ethno-cultural diversity’ towards ‘immigration societies’

− Result of succeeding migration waves: much more complex social realities, especially in the cities

• Qualitative and quantitative differences as compared to migration in the 20th century

INTRODUCTIONOBSERVATIONS

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SUPERDIVERSITY

• More than a synonym for ‘diversity’ or ‘multi culturality’

• New phase in migration and demography

• Term by Steven Vertovec

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• Diversity increases, especially in big cities• Term: ‘majority-minority city’:− A city where the majority of the inhabitants is

composed of minority groups

Examples− World capitals like New York, Sao Paolo, Toronto or

Sydney− In Belgium: Brussels (today); Genk, Antwerps,

Ghent, … (tomorrow)− Today and tomorrow: everywhere in the world

‘MAJORITY-MINORITY’ CITIES

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EXAMPLEANTWERP: KIDS OF ALL COLORS (1)

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EXAMPLEANTWERP: KIDS OF ALL COLORS (2)

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EXEMPLEBRUSSELS: A MIXTURE OF LANGUAGES• More then 100 different languages− A.o.: French (89%), English (30%), Dutch

(23%), Arab (18%)• Individuals combining multiple languages− Less than 40% are mono-lingual French or

Dutch speaking− One out of tree citizens grow up in a

family lacking the knowledge of Dutch or French

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THE NATURE OF MIGRATION

- a limited number of countries of origin- people opting for particular host countries

- More people migrate, from more countries, to more countries- very diverse background of immigrants

1990

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Migrants differ in:• beliefs and

opinions• experiences• prosperity• lifestyle• level of

education• …

• Diversiteit in & tussen gemeenschappen

• Meer transnationalisme

TYPOLOGY OF NOWADAYS MIGRANTS

• Diversity in socio-economical positions

• Diversity in & between communities

• More trans-nationalism

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• The longer the more Belgians combine a Belgian identity with a mixed background

EXAMPLEFAMOUS BELGIANS OF MIXED BACKGROUND

Vincent Kompany

Stromae

People from your country

National

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New technologies enable:

• Keeping in touch (mobiles, internet, skype, satellite television, …)

• Building very different social relations

• Virtuals networks

DIVERSITY AND NEW COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

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• Superdiversity is a factual constatation− Not to be judged as ‘good’ or ‘bad’− The impact depends on how we deal with it

• The situation may be considered − as a milestone raising new questions− as a new light shining over the context of

migration and integration

DEALING WITH SUPERDIVERSITY

PARADIGM SHIFT

From: ethnic-cultural approach

To: dealing with superdiversity

The national, ethnic or religiousbackground of a person is the most important characteristic

of a person’s identity and the main explanationfor her or his behaviour

ETHNIC-CULTURAL APPROACH

• Collectivistic• Group-cultures• We - cultures

DAVID PINTO

individualindividual

• Individualistic• Person-oriented

cultures• I - cultures

• Sometimes necessary (e.g. ethnopharmacy)

• Helps to understand the communication

KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURAL AND MIGRATION- BACKGROUNDS IMPORTANT!

• Reduces a person to only her/his national, ethnic or religious identity

• Culture used as a variable, instrumental explanation• Culturalises all kind of differences and makes behavior

extra-ordinary• Culture: homogenous and static • Generalises and stereotypes• Only one meaning• Not-equal and patronizing• Takes you out of your power, your balance and it takes

the other person also out of her/his power/balance

RISKS OF A ETHNIC-CULTURAL APPROACH

Coutryside// city

Profession Religion

EACH PERSON IS PART OF MANY COLLECTIVES

AgeGender Nationality

Sexual orientation

Social-economic position

Ethnic group

Parent-ship

……….

IDENTITY: A MULTIPLE, COLOURFUL AND MOVING MOSAIC

C o l o u r

Identity

Education

Social- Economic position

Religion

Age

Gender

Sexual orien tation

Partner

Daughter/Son of … of...

Are people allowed to present themselves – despite their

evident categorial characteristics – the way they want to?

MAIN QUESTION

Persoon

Sexe/gender

‘kleur’

Religieuze gemeenschap

Leeftijdsgroep

Familie

Opleiding

Seksuele voorkeur

……

Etnische groepMultiple identity

CONCLUSIONDEALING WITH DIVERSITY IN A SUSTAINBLE WAY

Non-negotiable framework of universal fundamental values

Do not interpret all behaviour as cultural characteristics

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Some final considerations

COMMUNICATION IS ALWAYS A QUEST AND AN ADVENTURE

FIND THE POSITIVE INTENTION

BEHIND EACH BEHAVIOR

HYPOTHESIS OF ‘THE BEST’

Different=

‘negative’behaviour

Positiveintentions:

motives, emotions, needs, values

Positiveintentions:

motives, emotions, needs, values

Recognition

Recognition

‘THE SHORTEST WAY IS THE ROUNDABOUT’

Different=‘negative’behaviour

Positiveintentions:

motives, emotions, needs,

values

Positiveintentions:

motives, emotions, needs,

values

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