Fields of Play: Refuge(e)s in Youth Multiculturalism on the Fringes of Melbourne

Abstract

This paper discusses the meanings and practices of multiculturalism among young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in one of Australia’s most multicultural cities. It is based on a three-year ethnographic study exploring refugee and migrant youth engaged in sports and arts in the suburbs of Melbourne known as “migrant”, “ethnic” and “multicultural” areas. The result of the study indicates that multiculturalism from below can happen differently from the “place making” strategy or “ethnic enclave” idea in which ethnic minorities are viewed as creating their own ethnic colonies in isolation from the mainstream society.

Keywords:

• Youth
• multiculturalism
• refugees
• sports
• arts
• belonging

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Australian Research Council; Gandel Philanthropy.