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Multiculturalism in Greece A discussion on
potential social and cultural gains of ethnic
diversity within the framework of national
identity problematic

• Presentation prepared for
• The 4th HO PhD Symposium on Contemporary Greece
  and Cyprus
• Hellenic Observatory, European Institute, LSE
• 25 26 June 2009
• Foteini Kalantzi
• Ph.D Candidate
• University of Macedonia, Greece

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I. Introduction

• On Immigration
• European and Greek policies
• Greeces transformation from mono-cultural to
  multi-cultural society
• Defining Multiculturalism

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II. Immigration and multiculturalism in Greece

• Geo-political changes
• Transition (new policies/different wording in
  public sphere)
• Greeces coordination with EU policies
• Demonising immigrants
• Immigrants as the Other social identity
  theory
• Cultural dilemmas
• Nationalistic and extreme right-wing movements

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III. Characteristics of Greek identity

• Historical incidents
• Religion
• Homogeneity
• Cultural forces
• Socio-economic structure and economic situation
• Need for Self-definition

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IV. A Theoretical Note Construction of national
identity as a social consensus

• National identity as a collective identity ?
• differently perceived by those who are members
  of the group, and by those who dont belong in
  it.
• Human agents importance in constructing and
  reproducing social reality
• Constructivist and dynamic character of culture
  and identities

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V. Multiculturalism as a challenge for Greek
society

• A. Considering
• Main characteristics of the Greek identity
• Greek societys need to come to terms with the
  new social and cultural aspects
• Societys ability to continually negotiate
  identities
• Social groups construct their image on the basis
  of the Other

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B. Multiculturalisms Potentiality

• Multiculturalism as a path for re-evaluation
• Otherness and Greekness
• - Overcoming historic psychological syndrome
• Cultural development

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VI. Concluding Remarks

• When Greek identity becomes obsession ?
  nationalism
• Current challenges, like multiculturalism
• Every foreign element becomes a trigger for
  enrichment and renewal of the Greek
  self-conscience