Summary

This section has reviewed some of the key literature of intercultural dialogue-related concepts.

Although the theorists considered come from different disciplines, examining them together in this way highlights areas of agreement and also discord.
The success or otherwise of interculturalism and intercultural dialogue depends on many things – creating the right environment, bringing together groups/individuals on an equal footing, engaging in tasks and activities that are meaningful to those involved, an understanding of group dynamics, and the importance of appropriate facilitation of the process – the input required.
This has been set out in the diagram below, which shows, using a Transformation Process Model, how an understanding of the conceptual framework informs the configuration of the inputs which can then be transformed by interculturalism and intercultural dialogue into the objective of lasting change.

Interculturalism and Intercultural Dialogue as a Transformation Process Model

The Transformation Process however does not operate in isolation from the real world and the diagram shows it surrounded by three environments – the Far, Near ( both of which are external to the group/ individual), and Selves (which are internal to the group/individual). The environment in which interculturalism and intercultural dialogue takes place is by its very nature complex, and aspects of it will become more or less important depending on the issues involved and what governments, policy makers and practitioners are seeking to achieve.

Having the right inputs in place however does not in itself guarantee success but their absence, or their inadequate provision, is likely to hamper and compromise the process.

This guide seeks to identify the right inputs and the desired outcomes for the British Council and others in order to effectively engage with interculturalism and intercultural dialogue.