Conference “Diversity and Inclusiveness: Divergent Treatment of Neglected Minorities”

The purpose of this conference is to give students from Asia and Europe an opportunity to examine differences in popular attitudes and official policies toward previously neglected minorities in their countries, such as for example LGBTQ community members and persons with various kinds of disabilities.

In many parts of the world, prejudice and discrimination toward these and other marginal groups has almost vanished and given way to societal acceptance, legal protection, and even compensation for past discriminatory treatment. In other regions, however, negative public attitudes and policies of willful neglect persist. Moreover, even in the same country treatment toward different groups can vary greatly.

For example, in Japan the 2020 Paralympic Games have received positive media attention while legal rights of same sex couples are not recognized. Students chosen to take part in this conference will be asked to examine how members of formerly neglected minorities in their countries are treated, what if any changes have taken place in popular and official attitudes, and what the reasons for the changes – or absence of any – may be.

Conference: “Diversity and Inclusiveness: Divergent Treatment of Neglected Minorities”

Date: 13 February 2020

Venue: Josai International University, Tokyo

Kooperation: Josai Institute for Central European Studies, Josai Center for ASEAN Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Büro Tokyo