Managing increasing cultural diversity in a democratic manner is a crucial challenge for both the United States and France. The “White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue” argues in the name of the governments of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe that an intercultural approach offers a forward-looking model for managing cultural diversity distinct from and superior to past models of assimilation and multiculturalism. The paper seeks to clarify a conceptual framework and guide for policymakers that appreciates diversity while sustaining social cohesion.
During the Lafayette Debates North American Championship, affirmative teams will be asked to defend the proposition that democracies should prioritize implementation of the conceptual framework and guide defined by the White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue for managing cultural diversity over other models such as assimilation and multiculturalism. Negatives will be asked to negate this proposition. During the debates both affirmative and negative teams will be asked to focus their arguments on and draw their examples from the United States, France, and democracies similarly situated to the United States and France.
