Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Dr. Joshi was invited to present a paper on “The Racialization of Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism in the United States” in Vienna, Austria, as part of the Plenary on Emerging Trends and Developments related to New Forms and Manifestations of Racism and Xenophobia. at the international meeting “Racism in the OSCE Region: Old Issues, New Challenges,” sponsored by Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to commemorate events for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 19-20, 2009 in Vienna, Austria. The selection of Dr. Joshi, whose work focuses on the experiences of Indian American Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, represented a recognition of a common challenge shared by the United States and many of its fellow OSCE member states: Ensuring that laws against discrimination and government service programs respond gully and effectively to the needs of new groups that are minorities both racially and religiously. The U.S., like other OSCE member states, is striving to be a pluralistic democracy, yet the countries’ growing Hindu, Muslim and Sikh populations are still not on an equal footing with the majority. Dr. Joshi will address the range of issues – from violence and discrimination to accessing appropriate services and full participation in society – that these immigrant and second-generation minorities face in the OSCE region.