ICD in the international policy context
Every country in the world today is affected by increased globalisation, increased migration and increased sociocultural conflicts (in particular the transition from traditional to modern social structures, the role of faith in public and private life etc.)
The various responses and approaches to these challenges by different countries highlight the central role ICD can play in bringing about mutual trust and understanding within localities, across regional boundaries, nationally and across borders. Various forms of ICD have been incorporated into policy programmes in similar ways to the UK. One example is Canada:
Canada
In Canada, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1985) provides the framework for Canada to build community cohesion in an increasingly diverse country. In particular the responsibilities to ‘promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins’ and to ‘foster the
recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures’, highlight the importance of ICD as a key vehicle in meeting these obligations.
Intercultural dialogue in its broadest context refers to ‘purposeful connections among populations in Canada to foster an ongoing exchange of views and perceptions and a common exposure of the population to the complex diversity of cultural and civic input represented by the public agenda. In its more restricted sense, ICD is exemplified by events or activities that bring cultures together in respect and tolerance.’
ICD effectively joins up the traditional ideas of culture as creativity and of citizenship as democracy and is increasingly perceived as potentially an effective tool to facilitate the effective development and operation of cultural and civic policies and programmes. ICD also helps to foster the education and transmission of values that serve as the foundation for making things work equitably and transparently.