Idea Camp 2014_Ideas Booklet_low res

Katerina MojanchevskaMacedoniaI am a non-resident PhD student at the International Institute of Social Studies, TheNetherlands. I am working on research that involves the experiences of multiculturalcities in the accommodation of cultural diversity in public space, in particular in the city ofSkopje (Macedonia) and how this affects the social dynamics of spaces. My backgroundincludes psychology and communication studies and I have experience with the civic sectorworking on projects that relate to city policies and research in the wide field of cultural policy.My research and professional interests encompass the intersection among identity, public space,inter-culturality and urban policy.Diversity and public spacere-contestedWe will re-install cultural heterogeneity and contestation in public space by lookingat the perspective of youth with different ethnic backgrounds.Using research, mapping workshops, young peoplefrom diverse ethnic backgrounds in Skopje will explorethe roles that public spaces play in the expressionor contestation of different identities and explorecultural practices and spaces that promote ‘new waysof living together’ in a multicultural city. The workingmethodology is a mixed pedagogical model, focusedboth on the individual (able to positively affect his/her environment) and on the wider community (ableto transfer valuable messages, raise awareness). Aspart of the process, a research on young people’sunderstanding of the representation of diversity inpublic space will be conducted. The materials willbe used to structure six mapping workshops whereparticipatory methods will allow the young people toactively engage and learn by doing.44