ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the results of a multidisciplinary analysis, from a broader framework that includes recent national public commissions which have addresses the challenges of managing cultural and religious diversity. In Britain, the Parekh Report resulted from the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain established in January 1998 by a private foundation, the Runnymede Trust. 'The Commission's remit was to analyse the current state of multi-ethnic Britain and to propose ways of countering racial discrimination and disadvantage and making Britain a confident and vibrant multicultural society at ease with its rich diversity', and it published its report in October 2000. The scope of analysis of commissions on diversity is huge, involving national identity and migratory policies, and bridging several levels of community life.
