The 9th annual CAAS congress, focusing on minorities

On October 19 and 20, Inalco hosted the 9th international congress of CAAS (Consortium for Asian and African Studies), of which it is a founding member. This year's theme was: "Minorities between globalization and areal approaches: [self]definitions, constructions, realities, identities, memories"
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Thirty-four speakers from every continent, ranging from senior lecturers to young doctoral students, presented and deepened their critical questioning of the evolution of the very concept of "minority" and the various realities it covers in Asia and Africa, as well as within diasporas from these regions. What is the relationship between these groups and majority states and societies, between integration or assimilation (desired or imposed), marginalization, sometimes discriminatory or even repressive, as the presentations on the Rohingyas or the Uighurs reminded us? What is the influence of globalization in the various cultural areas concerned?


It was decided to adopt a broad definition, and the presentations covered ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and sexual minorities. A variety of geographical, cultural and disciplinary cross-fertilizations provided food for thought for participants and the public alike. These included a panel discussion on the Ainu in Japan and Russia, and a perspective on the position of several countries with regard to LGBT minorities.



Two days of highly stimulating exchanges, further enriched by the questions posed by an informed and passionate audience after each session.



The proceedings will be published in the coming months.



Anne Grynberg