Almost all societies are comprised of majority and minority groups distinguished on the basis of their number, language, religion, race etc. The differentiating features between the majority and the minority groups determine their position in society, polity, economy and their inter-group relations. In societies like India past historical experiences also play their role in shaping these relationships. But our experiences and researches show, that the well being of a society and its members largely depend on how well the minorities have been accommodated in the socio-economic, political and cultural life of a country. What is the attitude of the state towards these minorities? How the state looks at the issues concerning the minorities? What are the constitutional provisions to secure the educational and cultural life of the minorities in a Country? What is the process of national integration and nation building adopted by a country? What is their role in nation building process and development? The very security of a society and its members depend on how satisfied and integrated the minorities are in any society.

Both India and Canada are diverse, multicultural societies. In India where the Hindus constitute the majority, the minority group consists of Hindus, the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahai etc. In Canada the Canadian Christians constitute the majority but there are other visible minority groups who have migrated to Canada from different parts of the world, speak their own language and adhere to their religious faiths. As per the estimates of Statistics Canada by 2013 between 25% to 28% of the Canadian population would be foreign born. Thus, minorities play and are going to play important role in both India and Canada in nation building and national development in future. India has specifically mentioned in its constitution the cultural and educational rights of the minorities. The minorities in India have their own cultural autonomy and personal laws. Canada has officially adopted the policy of multiculturalism. But what is the actual position of the minorities in India and Canada? How are they treated at social levels in the two countries? These issues are not much understood empirically.

The proposed seminar will address issues related to minorities in India and Canada by inviting scholars from the field of humanities, law, medicine and social sciences. The broad objectives of the seminar are as follows:

(1) To examine the status of the minorities in India and Canada.
(2) To identify the needs, problems and progress of minorities in India and Canada
(3) To take stock of the steps taken by the Government and civil society for the betterment of minorities in India and Canada.
(4) To learn from the experience of India and Canada to manage social diversities.
(5) To suggest strategies for healthy group relations between majority and minorities in India and Canada.
Themes of the seminar for deliberations:
(i) Status of minorities in India and Canada
(ii) Needs and Problems of Minorities in India and Canada (Economic, Social, Educational, Health, Development needs etc.)
(iii) Impact of the Governmental and Non-Governmental Initiatives on the Development of Minorities in India and Canada
(iv) Minorities and National building in India and Canada
(v) Relationship between Majority and Minorities in India and Canada
(vi) To suggest strategies for promoting healthy relationship between the majority and minority in India and Canada.

The above themes are suggestive. You may choose the topic from the point of view of your disciplinary perspective. Scholars who will be in the area and who wish to contribute to this seminar are requested to kindly submit an abstract via email as a word document file by February 11, 2012 to the following e-mail address:

jharajani2004@yahoo.com / jharajani 2009@gmail.com

For further inquires on how to participate please contact:

Prof. Rajani Ranjan Jha
Director
Canadian Studies Development Programme
C/o. Department of Political Science
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005

jharajani2009@gmail.com

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The University of Victoria has forged a unique partnership with the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) to create and deliver this program. The MACD-I is founded on the assumption that effective collaboration is required to foster transformative leadership, and that theoretical foundations of community development must be complemented by practical insights from experts in the field. For more information please click here.