[ecrea] 24th Nordic Intercultural Communication Conference (Jyväskylä, Finland)

Advance notice of the 24th Nordic Intercultural Communication Conference

23-25 November, 2017

Jyväskylä, Finland


Theme: Diversities, mobilities, and cultural identities in the balance


Human movement and relocation in the 21st century, by choice or in 
response to human-made or natural disasters, is becoming increasingly 
common. One outcome of this trend is that many people have become 
entrenched in, or fallen back onto, defensive lines and discourse as a 
means to protect their cultural identities. However, engaging dissimilar 
others--politically, professionally, or personally--from a defensive 
posture makes productive intercultural interaction and policy making 
difficult at best, and perhaps unattainable.


This situation poses significant challenges to ongoing peaceful 
negotiation of cultural identities. In other words, what makes me “me,” 
you “you,” and us “us”? Whether taken from the perspective of the 
immigrants, their offspring, host societies, ethnic minorities, or 
institutional actors operating in the field, the process of identity 
building and maintenance has always resulted from comparing oneself to 
“the other,” in seeking out both similarities and differences. It is 
enhanced or undermined by the stories told within oneself and among 
friends and compatriots. The process can be productive, mind-expanding, 
inclusive, and beneficial, just as easily as it can be fraught with 
contradictions, tension, fear, and reactionary stances.

But who is the owner of a culture or cultural information? Who is 
allowed to be an “authentic” representative of a culture? When is the 
assumed nature of a culture--or one’s cultural identity--allowed to 
evolve and by what means? What is the role of people invested in the 
field of intercultural communication? What kind of networks, 
initiatives, best practices, and hopeful ideas can be offered or 
advanced? How does theoretical insight best intersect with practical 
challenges?


We open the call for presentations and work group proposals related, but 
not limited, to the following themes:

·Intergroup negotiations concerning cultural, ethnic, religious, and 
linguistic identities and identity hybridity in various contexts

·Processes and strategies for initiating, maintaining, and furthering 
intergroup interaction or research

·Issues related to perceived threat and its manifestations in 
intercultural communication

·Theories and applications related to the field of intercultural 
communication, competency development, and education

  *

    Taking it to the street: the application of intercultural practices
    in various disciplines and activities, and/or the commitment of
    international, national, regional, institutional and educational
    policies and applications toward our shared future

  *

    Emerging challenges for intercultural communication research


Presentation proposals follow an abstract format of approximately 500 
words, including references. Work group proposals should also be 
approximately 500 words, including rationale, proposed participants as 
well as their individual contribution.


The submission system will open 1 May, 2017; submission deadline is June 
15, 2017, see https://www.jyu.fi/en/congress/nic


We hope to see you in Jyväskylä!


Important information:

23-25 November, 2017, Jyväskylä, Finland

Organized jointly by University of Jyväskylä and JAMK University of 
Applied Sciences

More information forthcoming

Inquiries: (nic2017 /at/ jyu.fi) <mailto:(nic2017 /at/ jyu.fi)>


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