Research and Analysis

Accounting for Change in Diverse Societies

Publication Series

Accounting for Change in Diverse Societies is a new publication series from the Global Centre for Pluralism focussed on six world regions. Each “change case” examines a specific moment when a county altered its approach to diversity, either expanding or eroding the foundations of inclusive citizenship. The series also features thematic overviews by leading global scholars. The series aims to build global understanding of the sources of inclusion and exclusion in diverse societies and the pathways to pluralism. This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, based in Ottawa, Canada. Read the papers at the links below.

Intersections: Practicing Pluralism

Publication Series

Given the holistic nature of pluralism, many actors and institutions — local, national, global — contribute to pluralism, as do many fields of practice such as international development and other lenses on diversity such as social cohesion. But how exactly do these fields of work relate to pluralism?

Intersections: Practicing Pluralism is a series of guides and think pieces for practitioners. Each paper maps an established field of practice to identify potential intersections with pluralism. By helping practitioners apply a pluralism lens to their work and by showing how many fields already contribute to pluralism, our aim is to open a new global conversation about living peacefully with diversity.

Pluralism Lens

Responses to diversity are learned and over time become embedded in institutions. Changing the way a society treats diversity involves changing both entrenched habits of mind as well as laws and policies. In other words, creating pluralism requires both “institution work” and “culture work.”

The Centre’s thesis is a simple one: division is not preordained — how each society treats diversity is a choice. When societies value rather than fear group-based differences, diversity can become an asset. But for every person to thrive, they must first feel that they belong. The Centre’s forthcoming pluralism lens on diversity provides a framework for fostering the conditions of belonging through pluralism.

Research Advisory Group

In 2014, the Centre formed an international research advisory group of leading experts in law, politics, economics, sociology and anthropology, each with wide-ranging regional expertise and experience. Members of the group have played a vital role in developing the Centre’s research program and helping to assess its results.