Diasporas in Europe

Though European and even international by nature, Diasporas are seldom taken on board in the context of European integration.  This was the starting point for this conference, which brought together academics, civil society organisations and political representatives.  The main groups concerned by the event, at this stage, were the Jewish, Armenian, Rom and Greek diasporas.

Among other academics, Claire Mouradian (CNRS, France), Suzan Pattie (London University) and Khatchig Tölölyan (Wesleyan University, USA) addressed the conference. Nicolas Tavitian addressed the conference on behalf of the AGBU.

In its conclusions, the conference, defined the - often misunderstood- notion of Diaspora, and indeed that of  Diaspora of Europe as “enduring human networks and communities [of citizens of the EU] who  consider themselves a part of Europe, of its culture and destiny, [and] also have important formal and informal links with fellow ethnic or religious communities with whom they share a past, present and future.”

The conference conclusions underscored the cultural erosion and other pressures which Diaspora's are submitted to, as well as the opportunities now available to promote their cultural heritage and contribute to European integration: “Both the Diasporas themselves and Europe as a whole have a vested interest in and a responsibility for working towards the preservation of their heritage and values”.