Conceptual framework
Introduction
Globalisation has brought the world closer together; distances between places have seemingly become smaller. As a result, we interact with difference on a daily basis. In order to address some of the pressing issues of modern day life, it is vital to be able to navigate global networks.
Intercultural dialogue is important in meeting these challenges. It helps us to acknowledge that difference exists, and addresses the need to encourage mutual trust and understanding between diverse people.
The environment in which intercultural dialogue takes place is marked by difference, proximity and interconnectedness. What do we mean by intercultural dialogue? What is it and who engages in it? What is the subject of intercultural dialogue and what is its purpose?
Intercultural dialogue
It is difficult to define intercultural dialogue (ICD), as it means many things to many people. However the following are three definitions from a national, international and global perspective:
National
"A dynamic process by which people from different cultures interact to learn about and question their own and each other's cultures. Over time this may lead to cultural change. It recognises the inequalities at work in society and the need to overcome these. It is a process which requires mutual respect and acknowledges human rights." Baring Foundation (2008)
This definition highlights ICD as a process marked by change and learning.
International
Intercultural dialogue aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills - so-called "intercultural competences" - to participate in increasingly diverse societies. Knowledge of democratic values, citizenship and civil rights are essential elements of dialogue. (EU – European Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008)
This definition highlights ICD as a process of skills acquisition - to help individuals and organisations successfully participate socially and economically in modern-day life.
Global
The idea of ‘intercultural dialogue’ takes as its starting point the recognition of difference and multiplicity of the world in which we live. These differences of opinion, viewpoint, and values exist not only within each individual culture but also between cultures. 'Dialogue’ seeks to approach these multiple viewpoints with a desire to understand and learn from those that do not see the world in the same way as ourselves. (www.unesco.org/iau/id/index.html)
This definition highlights the importance of addressing difference through intercultural dialogue.
In order to fully understand intercultural dialogue, it may be useful to look at the component parts that make up the term.
What do we mean by culture?
“A fish only discovers its need for water when it is no longer in it. Our own culture is like water to a fish. We live and breathe through it.”
(Riding the Waves of culture)
Culture is a very complex term and has been defined in many different ways over the course of history. Culture can refer to a process, a way of life and also a product.
Culture is not static, but something that is constantly negotiated and re-negotiated between members of a group. This happens even faster now that the world is also changing at a rapid pace. To fully understand culture, it is important to understand its history as well as its present.
Culture can be seen in many different ways, four of them are listed below.
Culture as a web
“Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun.” (Max Weber)
Culture in this definition is something created by humankind, and at the same time something that defines humankind.
Culture as a layered ball
Culture in this definition is represented by a ball with three layers:
- The outer layer
This is the observable reality of culture, that is the things we can see, feel, hear or touch.
Examples: language, food, architecture, fashion, art. - The middle layer
This layer consists of norms (a group’s mutual sense of right and wrong) and values (a group’s definition of good and bad). - The core
This layer consists of basic assumptions about existence and the relationship between the individual or group and nature. This includes the basic problem-solving processes.
Culture as an iceberg
Culture can also be described as an iceberg. Above the surface of the water are things we can see, hear, and feel. Examples are: arts, music, architecture, language. Below the water’s surface are the intangible elements of culture. These include beliefs, values, thought patterns, and myths.
The iceberg model highlights the importance of seeing the relationship between the tangible products of culture and their underlying intangible aspects.
Culture as text
Culture is also sometimes described as a text that can be read. This model is similar to the iceberg, as it takes the external, visible reality of culture as a starting point from which to discover its hidden and intangible elements.
Drawing from the previous models, intercultural dialogue can be seen as a way of getting to the deeper, embedded meanings of what can be perceived at the surface.
What do we mean by dialogue?
"Dialogue without learning is not dialogue, it is merely discussion".
European Youth Forum
Intercultural dialogue is about intercultural communication. Communication is the exchange of information. Information carries meaning – these carriers can be words, ideas, emotions, music. Successful communication is easier between people who to some extent share a system of meaning. Intercultural dialogue creates a platform where people share a common understanding of meaning.
Human interaction is complex – often what you see is not what you get. As everything we communicate happens within a certain environment or social setting, it is always linked to our culture.
For this reason, when we communicate, we often express much more than we are aware of. This is summed up in the phrase “One cannot not communicate!” (Paul Watzlawick). Whatever we do, we transfer meaning in conscious as well as unconscious ways.
This is important when we want to see how we make sense of the world around us. Whenever we receive a stimulus, a complex web of our personal and cultural background (values, ideas, beliefs, experiences) will help us understand.
Meaning, just like culture, is not absolute, but constantly shifting and changing. This also affects how we understand what other people are communicating to us. Only if we make sense of a piece of information in the same way as the communicator of this message intended, can we have successful communication.
Misunderstandings happen when this is not the case. This is often the case when working with people from very diverse backgrounds where ways of processing information may be quite divergent. Communicating successfully in these environments therefore requires cultural sensitivities, cultural awareness and intercultural skills.
Dialogue is most commonly defined as a conversation between two or more people that involves an exchange of views and ideas. This involves a process of learning from each other and changing ways of seeing each other, ideally leading to greater intercultural understanding between people of diverse backgrounds.
Intercultural dialogue can be approached in three different ways:
- by increasing self-awareness;
- by improving understanding of ‘the other’, or;
- by allowing a comparative analysis between different cultures.
Why do we need intercultural dialogue?
Intercultural dialogue is necessary today to engage with the difference that we encounter in the world, not only because we are likely to regularly meet very diverse people, but also because this can help with addressing and unlocking some of the challenges of today’s globalised world.
Intercultural dialogue can:
- provide an avenue, where communication has broken down;
- provide a voice, where understanding has been rendered complicated;
- open new channels of communication;
- help break down judgemental views.
One of the most important aspects of intercultural dialogue is its ability to challenge stereotypes and prejudices. We often generalise about what we don’t know. Stereotypes are usually exaggerated views of particular characteristics, which result from our own cultural frames of reference. This becomes a problem when these generalisations become prejudices that affect the way we act towards others.
The English writer Richard Cowper once said: “Our thoughts are unseen hands shaping the people we meet. Whatever we truly think them to be, that's what they'll become for us.”
Intercultural dialogue is important as it allows long-term and intensive engagement with people from another culture. This can help people see their own culture from a different perspective, which leads to re-evaluating their own views and ideas. On the other hand, intercultural dialogue also re-introduces some of the detail – the diversity – into our perception of others.
“Dialogue between cultures is essentially a dialogue between human beings, not between cultural entities.” (Anna Lindh Foundation)
Further information
Intercultural Dialogue (Counterpoint) - document exploring the meaning of the term intercultural dialogue.
Mapping Dialogue - this document provides an overview of different dialogue models and techniques. It is the result of a project profiling dialogue tools and processes for social change.
