Swiss Academy for Development

Migration and cultural diversity shape all areas of our lives, and have a major influence on society in Switzerland and in European countries. They hold a great deal of potential for the development of our societies, but they also present us with new challenges every day. Other ways of life, unknown languages, religions, views, and values may appear drastically different, even threatening, but can also enrich and enliven the cultural, social, and political environment. To benefit from the potential of diversity and to reach a respectful living together between different groups, individuals, institutions and societies must learn how to deal with and make out the most of the existing heterogeneity.

This workshop aims at

• showing facts about migration processes and diversity in Switzerland and other European countries;
• initiating a reflexion about diversity, majority-minority, identity and integration;
• presenting suggestions and recommendations to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding;
• giving concrete inputs for activities and actions participants can realise on a personal or local level.

Swiss Academy for Development (SAD)

The Swiss Academy for Development is located in Biel/Bienne. Working at the intersection between theory and practice, SAD is a competence centre that makes cutting-edge contributions to the field of development and social inclusion. It links different practical experiences and perspectives from policy makers, the private sector, and humanitarian and development organizations with those from academic institutions. SAD initiates and manages its own projects, and contributes to projects initiated by other organizations. One of the organization’s main focus lies on intercultural dialogue and migration.

For more information, please visit www.sad.ch