On May 23, the Faculty of Law will host the roundtable discussion ENSEMBLE for the respect of Diversity.
The question of reasonable accomodations in Quebec, which in the past was largely a legal issue, has become a driving force in the public discourse.
Coexistence among diverse cultures has also taken on a life of its own in the media with the so-called “Reasonable Accommodation Crisis” and attendant ideological disputes, cystallizing identity politics and feeding various academic and public polemics. Five years after the Bouchard-Taylor Commission, this round table looks at the concept and practice of reasonable accommodation (meaning, principles, framework, reach and limitations, etc.) by revisiting the major themes of the debate: pluralism or assimilationism as a model of social integration.
The discussion necessitates an examination of the ramifications of the “laicité” or secular legalo-political models, applied to religious practice, the State, and pluralistic adjustments of beliefs and philosophies of life in the public domain.
Panelists include Daniel Weinstock from the Faculty of Law at McGill; Marie McAndrew, Chair Holder Canada Research Chair in Education and Ethnic Relations, Université de Montréal; and Jack Jedwab, Executive Director, Association for Canadian Studies. Anne Lagacé Dowson, President and Director General, ENSEMBLE for the respect of diversity, will animate the session.
May 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., New Chancellor Day Hall (room 312), 3660 Peel street, between DoctorPenfield and Pine avenues (entrance via the Gelber Library East side). For more information, call 514-244-7941