May 26, 2022 at 18:00
Topic: Integration of national minorities in Serbia
Abstract
Main goal of the lecture is to present national minorities’ integration process main features and results of implementation of minority politics in Serbia. Lecture contains two parts. First part is dedicated to explanations of integration main principles as model of social relations in multicultural societies. Goal of the integration politics is quite clear- improving status of the national minorities as well as strengthening social cohesion. Dilemma that remains is how to achieve these goals? How integration principles could be embedded in legislation and institutional frame? And finally, what are the consequences of institutional choices when defined principles became part of social and state order? Integration process is observed through two dimensions: social and political integration. Mutual relations of these two dimensions of integration are complex, and not necessarily derived one from another. It is justified to expect that members of minority can be integrated on one level, but not so good on other level. Question is what level of integration is appropriate for unity inside one society.
Second part of lecture shall be dedicated to minorities’ integration process in Serbia. Special attention shall be dedicated to segregationally multiculturalism as main model for interethnic relations in Serbia. It shall be shown that, even segregationally multiculturalism respects rights of national minority, does not improve integration in society. Lecture shall try to give answer to next question: Is the right of national minorities to cultural autonomy the main condition for integration of minorities in the society? Besides of presentation of minority politics in case of Serbia, author shall question the Kimlika hypothesis that minority nationalism can be observed as response for majority nation building. Confirmation of Kimlika hypothesis question shall be executed through empirical data: results of ethnical distance between majority and minority and measuring integrational potentials of the society in Serbia.
