What is intercultural dialogue?

Intercultural dialogue occurs when people from different cultures interact and maintain an open and respectful exchange of views that may help them understand each other. Intercultural dialogue carries cultural values and features, norms, beliefs and traditions inherited by the partners in the dialogue.

Intercultural communication activities at school

Dialogue between cultures enables us to live together peacefully and accept a multicultural world. The EYID is an opportunity for schools to enhance their intercultural learning activities. Intercultural learning is a complex process which entails learning about one’s own culture and other cultures. It is also about putting one’s own culture in the context of world cultures and therefore develop a sense of community and belonging.

Communicating interculturally at school allows students and teachers from different cultures to establish meaningful dialogues to get to know each other better, and remove prejudice and stereotypes. Communicating cultures may enable the young generation to be better prepared to meet the challenges that tomorrow brings.

The intercultural dialogues that occur online are the only way for a large number of students to experience other cultures from an early age and learn how different and similar opinions, ideas and feelings should be shared online. Furthermore, learning to face cultural differences may lead to learning about tolerance and openness to other cultures, which in turn helps people to become more aware of their own culture.

The main benefits for the classes that take part in intercultural communication activities cover two main areas: improving communication skills and raising intercultural awareness. Any teacher can encourage students to adopt a positive attitude towards other cultures as this may be a solution to overcome inside and outside communication barriers. Such activities that involve people from other cultures provide windows into the world that may develop knowledge at both professional and personal levels.

More about the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue