Canada and India with a long experience in tackling linguistic, religious, ethnic, cultural, geographic and other diversities have a lot to contribute to each other as well as to the world to face the challenge of finding unity through diversity. While the Indian experience of living with diversities for centuries has almost become a part of nation's DNA, the Canadian experience, though new, challenges the nation-state as a post national nation with a policy on multiculturalism.

How have the two countries dealt with the challenges presented by diversity, while remaining anchored to the concept of a strong nation-state functioning in a system of parliamentary democracy? Have they been successful and what are the lessons that they can learn from each other and also from newly diverse democracies, are some of the questions that the seminar would like to address. The Seminar will examine such claims among others. Some possible topics are suggested below, though they do not limit the topics for discussion / paper presentation.

• Dialectics of identity and diversity
• Multiculturalism and integration
• Diversity and assimilation
• Diversity and affirmative action
• Ethnic Diversity and requirements of urban policy
• Education in a multicultural polity and civil society
• Educational Policies for managing diversity
• Responding to challenges of Diversity in a class room
• Rethinking Multiculturalism
• Challenges of Cultural Diversity in Canadian Literature
• Social cohesion and religious diversities
• Economic disparity and Diversity
• Security and religious Diversity
• Celebration of diversity in literary texts
• Media and Diversity
• Managing cultural and religious diversity in films

Submission Guidelines

We invite papers/ proposals for short audio-video presentations/ skits/ short plays on any of the above themes. However, the papers should follow the MLA / APA style-sheets. Only full papers/ proposals for presentations sent in advance will appear in formal proceedings. The lastdate for submission of abstracts is July 31, 2008. Please send your abstracts to Professor Sudhi Rajiv at the following email address: . The abstracts of proposals will be reviewed and information will be sent by the end of August, 2008.

We will be happy to provide local hospitality and travel allowance by 3 Tier AC within India. No registration Fee will be charged from those presenting papers. For any queries please get in touch with Prof. Sudhi Rajiv, (Secretary, Apurva and Head Department of English, Jai
Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur). Mailing address : E - 2, Royal Residency Apartments, Residency Road, Jodhpur - 342 001. Phone No. 0291 - 2430868 / 2430878 Cell No. +9414130868, Fax No. 0291 - 2438789. You may get in touch with Prof. O. P. Juneja, Academic Advisor for this conference.

Apurva is a Society for cultural and literary activities founded by Late Padambhushan Komal Kothari. The society has staged several English and Hindi plays, held book launches, poetry readings, dance and music shows. It has received grants for its activities from the Central and Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy.

Contact:

Prof. Sudhi Rajiv, Secretary
Apurva Society
E-2, Royal Residency Apartments
Residency Road
Jodhpur - 342 001
India
Phone: +91 (0)291 - 2430868 / 2430878
Fax: +91 (0)291 - 2438789