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UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies

On 14 October 2008, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Pro Vice Chancellor of UniSA's Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences was appointed a UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies.

The appointment was championed by a range of colleagues, in particular:

• Dr Anna Ciccarelli who was instrumental in the development of the proposal for the Chair
• Prof Caroline McMillen
• The Hon Bob Hawke, AM
• Previous Vice Chancellor Denise Bradley and the current Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Høj.

UNESCO Chairs are awarded annually to individual colleges, universities and research institutions to initiate programs that further research and training in one of UNESCO's fields of competence. A Chair may be established by reinforcing an existing teaching or research program and giving it an international dimension, or one may be established as a new teaching and research unit.

In this case, the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies will complement UNESCO's work in the field of social transformations and will provide a valuable contribution to international dialogue and policy development on international migration and social integration.

The aim of the Chair is to promote and emphasise research in the areas of transnational diasporas and reconciliation studies. This will be accomplished by holding masterclasses, workshops and conferences, and inviting international scholars especially from the post-colonial world. These activities are aimed most specifically at capacity building and the facilitation of the exchange of knowledge.

This project brings together scholars and experts in the field with a particular focus on diaspora studies, reconciliation studies, post-colonial studies, security studies, and cultural theory in an effort to develop new approaches to some of the most pressing issues of our times. It will involve collaboration with researchers from Australia, Botswana, India, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Such research and collaborations are directly relevant to UNESCO priorities including peace, environment, human rights, cultural diversity, dialogue among civilisations as well as the basic elements necessary for sustainable development.

As such, the research program has great national and international benefits as it seeks to:

• enhance the capacity of governments to create safe and secure environments for all citizens regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural background;
• contribute to existing literature and resources in the areas of transnational diasporas and reconciliation studies, bringing these together in a way that as yet has not been undertaken in Australia or overseas;
• strengthen research partnerships with international scholars and within Australia's universities; and
• demonstrate Australia's commitment to cultural diversity, intercultural communication and international collaboration.

Apart from ensuring that there is increased and vital understanding of global human wellbeing, the Chair will also establish valuable synergies with the broader knowledge and collaborative opportunities afforded within the Hawke Research Institute for Sustainable Societies.
 

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