The new role of religious minorities in contemporary globalized societies

The hegemonic perspective based on the idea that majorities rule is obsolete and misleading in a globalized world in which if a minority is qualified, experienced and globalized it can be stronger than the majority. Reli- gious minorities in the contemporary globalized world undergo changes that determine their future. The essay analyzes the new role played by religious minorities in the contemporary globalized world. After reviewing the complex issue of definition through the evolution of international eu and un norms and resolutions, the A. examines the issue of religious minorities identity proposing an interpretive framework based on ‘self-identifi- cation’. The A. proposes a definition of identity that results in a multi-leveled self-perception that includes ele- ments that groups and individuals belonging to religious minorities elaborate, on the basis of their relationship with the social contexts in which they live. The A. makes reference to a number of case studies, including the Yazidis that she is studying on field in Iraq and Syria since 2013, and that have been exposed to the world because of the persecution by Daesh. The A. elaborates a model of ‘double resilience’ that entails setting up needs and strategies for protection and to manage the power relationships and balances within – and especially out of – the communities. The new role of religious minorities the A. refers to, is that of actors of change.