“Immigrants as Citizens: Transnationalism and Incorporation as Future Directions in Turkish Relations with Australia, Europe and North America”

6-7 October 2007, The University of Sydney, Australia

Conference Themes
In 1967, the Turkish and Australian Governments signed a bilateral agreement that led to assisted migration from Turkey to Australia. This landmark conference will identify the current circumstances of Australians of Turkish background and examine their impact on Australian Turkish relations after four decades of settlement. Further, through comparing the situation of Australian Turkish migration with that in Europe and North America and with other immigrant groups, the Conference will also explore the significance of government policies and the role of transnational and cross-cultural relations in the integration and incorporation of migrant communities. These are especially important in the contemporary international environment where concerns about individual commitment, security and terrorism are juxtaposed against opportunities to facilitate international economic, social and cultural exchanges involving immigrant populations.

These issues are relevant to all researchers, policy makers and community members concerned with social cohesion in diverse societies. The themes being explored by the conference will have particular relevance to the situation in Europe, where there has been decades of extensive Turkish migration and, more recently, debates surrounding Turkey’s candidature for membership of the European Union.

The conference will also identify and develop the potential for international research collaboration which can inform the work of policy makers in Australia and other migrant countries.

The topics to be examined include:

• Contemporary population movements between Turkey, Australia and third countries
• The characteristics of Turkish integration and incorporation in Australia, Europe and North America and compare it with that of other immigrant groups
• The identities, economic and social circumstances and community leadership roles of Turkish immigrants, and their descendents, in Australia and other migrant destinations.
• The nature of transnational links between Turkey and settlement countries: economic, educational, cultural, media, political, social, sporting and religious
• The role of cultural forms and expressions in shaping relations between Turkey, Australia and other settlement countries
• Writing the history of Turkish immigrant communities
• The Immigrant as Citizen and the effects of transnational links on integration and social cohesion in Australia and elsewhere?
• The effects of Islamophobia and debates within Islam on the incorporation and citizenship of Turkish background migrants.

The Conference provides an opportunity to assess the Turkish-Australian migration experience and the ways in which this has influenced the relationship between the two countries:

• Is this unique?
• What policy lessons can be drawn from this?
• What are the prospects for future harmonious and productive relations within diverse immigrant countries as well as between the new countries of residence and homelands?

Conference Audience
The conference is designed for academics, policy makers and NGO groups involved in migration issues as well as members of the local Turkish Australian community. This is the same audience which is also involved in the International Metropolis Conference  which will be held in Melbourne from the 8-12 October 2007 following this conference.  For information on the Metropolis Conference visit the conference web site at: www.monash.edu.au/cmo/metropolis2007. 

Conference Venue
The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest university with the highest research profile in the arts and humanities. It also has a strong research tradition in issues relating to migration and settlement. The conference will be organised by the Multicultural and Migration Research Centre whose Director, Professor Christine Inglis, has had more than 2 decades of involvement in research on Turkish migration and settlement.

Centrally located in the city of Sydney it provides easy access for participants to the diverse attractions of Australia’s largest and most diverse city

To Offer a Paper or Poster or Propose a Panel at the Conference
Please send the following information Before the 30 June 2007 to turkishmigration@arts.usyd.edu.au
           
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Email address
Title of Paper/Poster/Panel
200 Word Abstract

Conference Registration
To receive more information about Conference Registration please send your

Name
Email Address
and/or
Postal Address
Fax No

To        Multicultural & Migration Research Centre
            Sociology & Social Policy A26
            University of Sydney NSW 2006
            Australia
Email: turkishmigration@arts.usyd..au

Conference Web Page
From the end of April, updated Conference information will be available at:-
http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/ssp/news/index.shtml