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Monash researchers at forefront of research on the Chinese community in Prato

28 November 2007

Consul General in Florence for China Mr Gu Honglin, Prefect of Prato Ms Eleonora Maffei, Australian Ambassador in Rome Ms Amanda Vanstone, President of the Province of Prato Mr Massimo Logli and
Director of Monash Prato Dr Annamaria Pagliaro.

Prato in Italy is famous for producing clothing for high-fashion labels. Many of these items of clothing are produced in factories by Chinese workers. In fact Prato boasts one of the strongest Chinese communities in Italy, perhaps even in Europe.

In the past the Chinese community has kept a low profile; however, recent news articles have highlighted emerging conflicts between local Chinese and Italian residents.

How the Chinese community in Prato is faring was the focus of a recent initiative by Monash University academics. On November 8 and 9 the Monash Centre in Prato hosted an important workshop titled 'Building Communities: the Chinese in Prato'.

The workshop, which was attended by 60 academics, community leaders and political representatives from Australia, China and Europe, was funded with grants from the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements and International Strategic Initiatives.

The workshop, which was opened by Amanda Vanstone, Australian Ambassador in Italy, Eleonora Maffei, Prefect of Prato, Massimo Logli, President, Province of Prato and Gu Honglin, Chinese Consul in Florence, addressed the question: 'What are the challenges and opportunities for the Chinese and Prato communities in Italy today?'

The workshop provided a vehicle for Monash University researchers to share their ideas on multiculturalism with leading researchers from universities in China and Europe as well as community leaders from the Chinese and Italian communities in Prato.

There was an interesting blend of academic papers on the experiences of Chinese migrant communities in Europe and presentations from local community representatives on the efforts being made to facilitate social integration on the ground.

A particular highlight of the program was a lively panel discussion and question-and-answer session involving the Hon. Marco Fedi, Chamber of Deputies, Italian Parliament; Andrea Frattani, Councillor for Multiethnic Affairs, Commune of Prato, and Fabio Giovagnoli, Councillor for Planning, Development and University, Commune of Prato.

Monash has an ongoing research program on the Chinese community in Prato, spanning the Arts, Business and Economics, and Information Technology faculties as well as the Monash Asia Institute.

Ongoing research projects are examining topics as diverse as the role of internet cafes in facilitating social networking among the Chinese in Prato; the role of remittances from Chinese migrants in Prato in the development of the Wenzhou economy in China; Italian media perceptions of the Chinese in Prato; and a comparison of the demographic profiles of the Chinese communities in Melbourne and Prato.

Over the coming year plans for the project include publication of an edited anthology on the Chinese in Prato which will draw together some of the research being done at Monash on this topic with that of leading researchers elsewhere and a further conference in Prato in 12 months time.

For further information contact Graeme Johanson, Graeme.Johanson@infotech.monash.edu.au or Russell Smyth, Russell.Smyth@buseco.monash.edu.au.