Identity in Cultural Diversity

International Conference

22 – 23 November 2023

Call for Papers

The growing generalization of internet access has greatly contributed to the interconnectedness of people around the world. Even when long distances actually separate physical locations in space and time, virtual communication gives the sense of a certain ubiquity that makes the absence of internet access a real phobia for many people. This mode of life has so modified the mindsets and the cultures of the young generations that communication with the old ones has become difficult, superficial and, at times, impossible. Major discrepancies have set in in everyday intercourse at both the interpersonal and institutional levels. This has often led to gradual openness on the remote and the foreign and gradual alienation from the immediate and the native, thus exacerbating the generation gap and calling into question the sense of belonging and identity.

One of the consequences of such a development at the collective and socio-political level is the loss of the traditional/national identity, especially in underdeveloped countries, where cultural hegemony is very active and effective. The old, traditional narratives have become ineffectual because connected to a past that has come to appear irrelevant to present conditions. Cultural diversity seems to be, in consequence, counterproductive: instead of leading to identity construction on more solid bases than provincial ethnocentrism, it is now at work to prevent the sense of belonging to the physical community and the, more or less, abstract nation. In poor environments, the "other" and the "elsewhere" correlate with longings for better life conditions, which perhaps explains the fast-growing phenomenon of migration.

To deal with the relationship between identity and cultural diversity, the Moroccan-American Studies Lab invites papers that tackle the issue from different perspectives – social, cultural, and political, among others, as part of its international conference, Identity in Cultural Diversity. With the aim of gathering researchers in different fields and disciplines from various cultures around the world, the conference will attempt to interrogate modern questions and concepts that have often turned into buzzwords. In particular, the conference invites proposals from different disciplines and angles on issues related to the following:

-       Identity and cultural diversity

-       Cultural diversity and migration

-       Boundaries and transitional/transnational space

-       Globalization, cultural diversity and minorities

-       Ethnocentrism and transnationalism

-       Hegemony and cultural revivals

-       Multilingualism and identity

-       Language and culture policies

-       Art and cultural diversity

-       Citizenship, globalization and identity

-       Multilingualism and identity

Abstracts should be sent to maslab2020@gmail.com and should not exceed 250 words, with name, title, and affiliation. Individual paper presentations will be 20 minutes.

Important dates:

-       June 9:  deadline for abstract submission

-       June 29:  acceptance/rejection notification

-       November 1:  paper submission

-       November 22- 23: conference dates

Conference fee:  $80

The conference registration fee covers:

-       Access to all the conference sessions

-       Conference materials

-       Refreshments and coffee breaks

-       Farewell dinner

Organizing committee:

Prof. Mohamed Benzidan, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Abdelaziz Boudlal, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Samira Rguibi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Taoufik Jaafari, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Abdelmajid Bouziane, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Samira Rguibi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Meriem Harrizi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Khalid Lahlou, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Mohamed Kandoussi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Ayoub Loutfi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Mohamed Sghir Syad, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Said Zaidoune, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Khalid Berrada, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Hajar Ouknider

Youness Bermime

Youness Mizmani

Scientific committee:

Prof. Mohamed Benzidan, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Abdelmajid Bouziane, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Abdelaziz Boudlal, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Taoufik Jaâfari, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Mohamed Yeou, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida

Prof. Samira Rguibi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Khalid Lahlou, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Meriem Harrizi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Chakib Bnini, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Mohammed Kandoussi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Ayoub Loutfi, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Reddad Rguig, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida

Prof. Amanda Richey, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

Prof. Mohammed Syad, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Said Zaidoune, Hassan II University, Casablanca

Prof. Abdelkader Sabil, Hassan I University, Settat