Bridging religious difference in an Autonomous Region: cultural mediators and the promise of transcultural capital
Abstract
This research contributes to the discussion of how diversity governance is dealing with demands to accommodate the increasing religious diversity born of recent migration flows. As part of the toolkit for managing religious diversity at the regional level, cultural mediators are seen as contributing to the sincere and real inclusion of religious minority perspectives, reducing tensions and assisting new religious minorities to overcome barriers. Using the case of South Tyrol in Italy, I explore how national and regional diversity governance have developed policies to establish the figure of cultural mediator as part of supporting meaningful participation in pluralist societies. I argue that this role is further enhanced in diversity governance with policies that promote members of new religious minorities as cultural mediators, valorizing their transcultural capital. This case shows how regions with political autonomy can adapt and expand national policies to address religious diversities.
Received: 05 May 2025; Accepted: 20 March 2026
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