cAIR : What next? Richard Parncutt , 10 April 2010

1. cAIR: What next?Richard Parncutt, 10 April 2010

2. Aims of cAIR – unchanged? • Specific • promote intercultural communication, understanding, collaboration • reduce impact of racism and xenophobia • General • promote social, political, global “wellness” • “combat” social, political, global “disease”

3. Means of cAIR – unchanged? • Bring together practice and research • Create a level playing field Practice Research

4. Good about cAIR10 • Before the conference • Thematic and gender diversity of keynotes • Avoidance of research terminology, titles... • 50 good submissions • Evaluation procedure worked • People responded to expert advice • During the conference • Central issues constructively addressed • Priorities identified • Interaction between different fields • Sense of community started to emerge

5. Problematic about cAIR • Research bias • researchers conceived and led • academic structures • some practitioners did not feel included • international practice networks not accessed • Western bias – unavoidable? • keynotes and participants mainly Western • Western bias in concept and organisation

6. Evaluation: The worst thing about cAIR10 • Local lack of interest • Not enough real practice • Participation of local/international practice/research committees

7. Should cAIR become an international conference series? 13 evaluation forms: 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 = yes, definitely 9 7 5 5 3

8. Evaluation: How should future conferences differ from cAIR10? • Focus on a special topic • “less would be more” • Diversity of Presenters • more practitioners, fewer academics • more scholars from developing countries

9. Next time: shift toward practice! • Networking • Expand existing table of supporting NGOs etc. • Keynotes • Quota ½ practice, ½ non-western, ½ female • Invite practitioners, non-Westerners and women first • Submissions • Distribute “call” primarily in practice networks • Best submissions: Financial support for practitioners

10. Next time: more ideas • Better use of computer networks • Create internet network (what kind? moderator?) • Better contacts to media • Invite media to present one keynote • Press conference • Institutional support • UN support

11. The near future • We distribute all email addresses to all • Tell us if there is a problem • Proceedings 

12. Publication after cAIR10 Special issue of European Journal of Cross-Cultural Competence and Management • Please submit to cAIR10 internet proceedings! • use Word template on cAIR10 website • Deadline is end of May • Best papers will be invited • evaluation by keynotes and best submissions • criteria: quality, balance, synergy of practice and research; diversity of themes

13. My motivation (what’s yours?) • Background • Australia (migrants, Aborigines) • Germany, France, Sweden, Canada • Feeling at home in Montreal • Austria 1999-2000 • Idealism – honesty and truth • Altruism as selfishness • Professional recognition or sacrifice?

14. My commitment • Homepage • attractive presentation, main aims • links to previous conferences, future organisers • maintain/update table of supporting individuals and organisations (network) (wiki?) -? • negotiation with future organisers • Help others with ideas • money for future conferences “cAIR” • forum “fAIR” = internet network? • documentation “dAIR”

15. Panel discussion • Topic: the conference • Aims, methods, results, context of cAIR • Issues raised in workshops: concepts, media, awareness, networks • What next? • Recorded and transcribed • Participants edit before publication • Audience participation: please say your name

16. Wrap-up • Best paper and poster awards • Surprises • Group photo

17. Wrap up – anonymous thanks • Non-English speakers • Non-Western participants • Practitioners & representatives of NGOs • All those new to conferences • Carers (parents etc.)