Social Cohesion in South Africa

Scientifically engaging with a buzzword

International Symposium

Organised by IFAS-Recherche, Laboratoire des Sciences Sociales du Politique, Sciences Po Toulouse and the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University

Event Coordinator: Léo Fortaillier (Science Po Toulouse/LaSSP/UWC)

In South Africa, one of the most (or the most) unequal country in the world, speaking of “social cohesion” could seem arduous. However, alongside a range of other buzzwords (such as “empowerment”, “leadership”, “grassroots”, etc.), the discourse on “social cohesion” is prevalent in different social spheres. And like these other buzzwords the concept can mean very different things in very different mouths, making it a very slippery idiom to grasp for social scientists. This symposium will therefore not be an attempt to provide an umpteenth definition or measurement tools for “social cohesion” but will rather be the opportunity to engage critically on the use of this term and to reflect on how social scientists in South Africa have been approaching the concept.

> Tuesday 4 June 2019

> 09:00 – 17:30 | Room 401, 4th floor, Arts and Social Sciences Bldg, Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University

……