Migration and Intercultural Relations

In the 21st century, migration processes – multidirectional in their spatial as well as social and cultural structure – increasingly contribute to the shaping of societies. Consequently, the presence of migrants adds emphasis to intercultural relations and intercultural communication, which are of key concern for social cohesion.Arguably, migration and globalisation may be considered twin processes. They contest concepts of the nation state, including territoriality and citizenship, and direct attention to questions of social justice and human rights, peace and conflict. They also lead to the emergence e.g. of new concepts of identity and transnational social spaces. Answers to policy questions linked to phenomena as diverse as voluntary and forced migration, internal displacement and transcontinental flows, movement of unskilled labourers and brain drainers need differentiated investigation and evaluation as well as complex negotiation.EMMIR responds to this rising importance by providing state of the art education in theoretical concepts, empirical methods and transdisciplinary approaches to migration studies. Teaching and research in EMMIR will address issues that currently rank highly on the global agenda – and need expertise on transnational, transcultural and transdisciplinary level. Migration and mobility, flight, displacement and refuge – globally and (supra)nationally discussed primarily on a policy level – touch decisive dimensions in economic and social development, demography, international relations, political theory and cultural cooperation, to name some, not all of the key areas. Sustainable answers bridging the interests of nation states (incl. their welfare systems and labour markets) with human rights, democratic values and globality have yet to be found. Research on intercultural relations and intercultural communication is closely linked to these questions and frequently key to the understanding of problems and conflict.The curriculum takes into account all forms of migration and displacement. Related issues to be addressed are intercultural conflict resolution mechanisms, multi cultural governance issues and global/regional integration.The two key terms of reference for this study programme are migration and intercultural relations. Migration is understood here as encompassing all forms of international migration, voluntary as well as forced movements. Internal displacement, prominent especially in African contexts, will also be addressed. Intercultural relations include not only communication and other forms of interaction between the majority and resident minorities/diasporic communities within nation states but also interethnic relations in the (inter-)national arena and beyond nation states – including multinational settings and concepts such as multiculturalism or cosmopolitanism.There are four programme: ▪ Gender ▪ Development ▪ Representation ▪ EducationThe foci serve as the foundation students use to develop their individual specialisation and profile, e.g. by combining them with a geographic focus involving one or more of the countries in the partnership, potentially also linked to individual language skills.