Ethnobarometer project
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 18:19:58 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: Ethnobarometer project
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Manuela Farina <[email protected]>
Ethnobarometer project
E T H N O B A R O M E T E R
Ethnobarometer is a network of social scientists providing
independent reports on inter-ethnic relations and migration flows in
Europe. It aims to monitor events, highlight areas of tension and
identify relevant topics for further inquiry. The project was
promoted by the Consiglio Italiano per le Scienze Sociali (CSS) in
Rome and is a joint venture between the CSS and the Centre for
European Migration and Ethnic Studies (CEMES), UK. It started
operating in early 1998 thanks to the financial support of the EU
Commission (DGI) and a consortium of foundations including the
Compagnia di San Paolo, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the
Olivetti Foundation, the King Baudouin Foundation, the European
Cultural Foundation and the Freudenberg Foundation.
Objectives:
To monitor interethnic relations in Europe, including ethnic conflict,
human rights violations and expressions of racism and xenophobia
To report annually on the state of relations between territorial
minorities and immigrant minorities on the one hand and national
authorities and state majorities on the other
To promote empirical research on the social, political, economic and
cultural issues which affect ethnic tensions and threaten peace and
security (where security is taken in a broad, "Royaumont" sense)
To collaborate with international, national and regional authorities
in furthering the dissemination of unbiased information and in
developing appropriate training activities
The Ethnobarometer Project (henceforth EP) achieves these objectives
by three linked methods. First, it collects first-hand information
from a network of correspondents located in European countries. EP
can rely for information also on a network of European centres. What
this means in practice is that it is able to offer sophisticated
expertise and to apply this knowledge flexibly and quickly when
required.
Many of the monitoring programmes with which Ethnobarometer could be
compared are located in the United States. There is much to learn
from these initiatives but they are usually global in orientation and
often committed to a particular tradition of social science research.
EP, instead, is a European initiative. It covers all major cases of
ethnic tension and division in Europe and does not intend to extend
beyond this area. By focussing regionally, and by using both
qualitative and quantitative methods of reporting, Ethnobarometer aims
to be provide relevant interpretations of events as they unfold.
Unlike many others, the Project does not see itself primarily as
offering specific policy advice. Rather it seeks to lay out an
accurate analysis of the issues in a manner which is sensitive to the
historical contexts in which they occur, and thus establish the
bedrock upon which effective policy can be made. EP is also committed
to the free transfer of objective information. In other words, it
wishes to enhance the public knowledge base and for this reason is
very concerned with free circulation of material, particularly through
electronic media.
Organisation and Management
The Project uses a new form of management based on a model of a
bi-polar work. Whereas many initiatives have one base in which
specialists are located, EP operates with two small secretariats, one
in Italy (CSS) and one in Northern Europe (CEMES in UK). These
co-ordinate the programme as a whole and provide documentary,
financial and publishing services. In the UK, CEMES is a small
organisation with specialist expertise in this field. It publishes
one of the world's leading journals (Journal of Ethnic and Migration
Studies), runs a sophisticated information service and co-ordinates
other linked networks. In Italy, CSS, a non governmental, privately
funded organisation, is a long-established focus for the development
of the social sciences and policy oriented research, with an
impressive history of initiating projects of major public importance.
Country Associates
EP has an associate correspondent in each of the countries included in
the first two years of operation. These include Russia, Ukraine,
Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Greece. Furthermore a
"roving correspondent" covers Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. Finally,
EP has country associates also in France, Germany and Belgium.
Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee for the EP is an important part of the
project's structure. EP is particularly fortunate in having attracted
leading experts and representatives of major organisations. Some of
them have participated in the regional workshops and in other
activities.
Advisory Panel
The following individuals have so far agreed to be on the Panel:
Umberto Eco, Jean Kahn, Michael Banton, Jean Daniel, Predrag
Matvejevic. We are in touch with other personalities in order to bring
the membership of the Panel up to about ten.
--------------
Manuela Farina
Italian Social Science Council
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