Heard About The New Cross Cultural Symposium? Oct 13-14 - Indianapolis, Indiana

Hi Everyone, From one of the founders of the Families in Global Transition (FIGT) conference (Ruth Van Reken), comes a new get-together (the Cross Cultural Symposium) next month, that might just become a successful annual event like the first...

Cross Cultural Symposium:
Growing Up Cross-Culturally: 
Broadening Horizons for Academic Research
October 13 – 14, 2011
Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

"What do children of refugees, immigrants, minorities, career expatriates, mixed race, and bi-cultural families have in common? 

These young people are part of the “new normal” in today’s globalizing world. Unlike those of past generations who grew up in monocultural environments, these young people meaningfully interact with two or more different cultural worlds during their developmental years.

Sociologists, anthropologists, educators, psychologists, and other academicians often study these groups as distinct entities. Today’s changing world brings up new questions. Are there common themes researchers are finding among children who have been raised cross-culturally for any reason? What remains distinctive to each type of experience? What about those growing up in multiple cross-cultural categories at the same time? How does this growing cultural complexity factor into today’s research and practice? What are the practical implications for those, such as educators, who work with this population? How can we help today’s children maximize the potential of a cross-cultural childhood while dealing constructively with the challenges?

This interdisciplinary symposium will offer an opportunity for academicians and practitioners to explore the question of whether it is possible to identify common themes that develop for those who are, or were, raised cross-culturally for any reason - even when the reasons differ greatly. As we compare the experience of those growing up cross-culturally with those raised in the more traditional mono-cultural communities and families of the past, we will consider potential research needed to further identify common themes as well as what is, in fact, distinctive to specific experiences. This symposium will be highly interactive using well qualified presenters, a short film, panels, research posters, and small group discussions. Our keynote speaker on October 14 is Professor Gary Weaver, Founder and Executive Director, Intercultural Management Institute, American University.

We invite all interested people to come, particularly academicians and practitioners in the fields of sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, child and adolescent development, and intercultural studies. Also those involved with immigrants, refugees, minorities, ethnicities, expatriates, international adoptees and other related areas, are welcome. Only $75.00 per person (includes two breakfasts, two lunches, registration)

Facilitators: Ruth E. Van Reken, co-founder of Families in Global Transition, co-author, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds; Fran Colley, Education Chair – Association of International Women (Indianapolis), Research Co-chair – Indiana Multiethnic Committee; and Christine Dowdeswell – Co-founder, Association of International Women (Indianapolis), co-founder FIGT, Alumni Board IU School of Liberal Arts, Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis."

Potential participants are invited to click here for more details.

Congrats to the organizers! Enjoy! Andrea