DOCA Research in Focus
European evaluations and projects
DOCA is included in the European short-list for evaluations and it has carried out two major European evaluations. The first regarded European information media and the second European youth organisations. In addition Muskens has reviewed several European research proposals. He became already an active European research co-ordinator since the mid-eighties for the Vienna Centre and IVA-Tilburg. Hij was and still acts as the co-ordinator of international studies concerning European communication policies, telecommunication policies, multiligualism and ethnic conflict, culture and media in post-communist Europe as well as mixed communities in Slovenia, the Ukraine and Estonia. For further information and projects click here.
Caribbean people and culture in the Netherlands
In 1997 DOCA did a survey among the Caribbean communities in Tilburg. Since then DOCA is directly involved in Caribbean issues in the Netherlands. It carried out and is carrying out research into Caribbean youth schemes in seven municipalities with high Caribean concentrations, the support for Caribbean youth workers and housing problems of Caribbeans in Tilburg and Eindhoven. We also supported the national Caribbean organisation OCaN by meta-studies, work conferences, advice, etc. For further information and projects (in Dutch) click here.
Integration en integration policies
Western countries face the challenge to develop vital communities together with their immigrants and immigrant communities. Integration and the combat against exclusion have therefore become key targets of European, national and local policies. DOCA assessed and is assessing local integration schemes in Europa. It assessed the integration scheme of the municipality of Tilburg. The results confirmed the general impression that policies and schemes are still far away from success, notwithstanding the highest personal commitment of many newcomers as well as their professional trainers and coaches. For further information and projects (in Dutch) click here.
Cultural identity en cultural diversity
Since years, Muskens has focussed his attention on ethnic diversity and mixed communities in Europe, with projects on the opportunities European societies offer to their minorities and on the development of reasonably balanced and vital mixed communities. Dutch diversity policies are targeted at the role of minority organisations, the diversity schemes of public institutions and the inclusion of 'other' cultures and 'other' people by subsidised art centres. DOCA assessed and is assessing (good) policies and practices in these fields. For further information and projects (in Dutch) click here.
Cultural and regional co-operation
Co-operation between cultural institutions or regional authorties is esteemed to be desirable as a policy aim, but it happens to be difficult in practice. DOCA assessed and is assessing the opportunities and challenges of co-operation for, e.g., regional archives and municipalities in our locus of western North-Brabant. Besides, challenges and problems of co-operation play a major role in Caribbean youth schemes or the inclusion of 'other' cultures and 'other' people by subsidised art centres. For further information and projects (in Dutch) click here.