Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

This paper seeks to advance the notion of ‘differentiated solidarity’ presented by political theorist Iris Young and consider its implications for dwelling or living together, embracing diversity whilst maintaining respect for the particularities of place and culture. The paper proposes that a closer look at the obligations of proximal dwelling provide a foundation for such an approach to celebrating diversity whilst sustaining respect for particularities. The approach is underpinned by an aim to create respectful relationships that cross race, culture and class. Taking an approach that considers the temporal stratigraphy of places, this paper considers the layers of meaning that are overlaid on place. Taking an example in Australia, this starts with the significance of place for Aboriginal Australians, and the overlays of new forms of order and meaning that colonization and sustained migration has added. The contemporary diversity grapples, as the conference highlights, to manage this effectively. The paper proposes that we may consider our obligations of proximal dwelling across a spectrum from broad planetary scale as well as local neighbourhood scales and it provides a framework upon which agreements can be forged that allow celebration of diversity whilst sustaining respect for particularities. It is an approach that acknowledges our interrelatedness and the extent to which we are all affected by the actions and choices made by others and thus by extension reframes our responsibilities to others- as our mutual ‘obligations of proximal dwelling’.