'Europeanising' Cypriot intercultural education: A policy process of simulation?

Christina Hajisoteriou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Europeanisation has played an important role in the transformation of Cypriot multicultural education. This paper reports on a review of policy-related documents and semi-structured interviews carried out with Cypriot policy-makers. Theoretical insights from policy sociology and theories of Europeanisation are used to examine this research endeavour. Influenced by European developments multicultural education became an important part of the Cypriot state's rhetoric. The concept came to be seen as evidence of Cyprus's adherence to the educational goals of the EU, which, in turn, provided a concrete expression of Cyprus's sovereignty. However, there was an absence of systematically thought out initiatives to develop a coherent state-derived multicultural policy. The Greek Ministry of Education and its policy of simulated multiculturalism operated as a template for Cypriot multicultural policy. Cyprus's collaboration with Greece, which has a brief experience of immigration, has impeded the transformation of its multicultural policy. In conclusion, Cyprus's cooperation with European states which have a longer experience of immigration could mobilise the formulation and implementation of successful Cypriot multicultural policies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalInternational Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Volume4
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Cyprus
  • Europeanisation
  • Multicultural Educational Policy
  • Southern European Countries

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of ''Europeanising' Cypriot intercultural education: A policy process of simulation?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this