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While many countries in the developed world are struggling with the challenges that arrive with immigration, Canada appears to have developed a successful approach: an official multiculturalism policy that celebrates diversity instead of fighting it. The author Marlies Panciera provides an overview of Canada´s immigration history and the developments that resulted in the Multiculturalism Act. The process of acculturation, and several theories of social change are discussed. Special emphasis is put on the difference between integration and assimilation as these two conflicting acculturative strategies are often mixed up. The second half of the book focuses on the practical side of the policy and discusses the limitations of multiculturalism as well as different points of criticism. Finally, a case study is presented that, not only demonstrates the potential for conflict in diverse societies, but also the opportunities for effective and constructive conflict management.

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Marlies Panciera, Mag.phil., studied Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Vienna, Austria. She currently works for an eco-friendly tour operator and as a freelance photographer in Vienna, Austria.

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