Skip to content Skip to search

British Council and Institute of Community Cohesion launch online intercultural dialogue guide

Date: 03/02/2010


British Council logo

The British Council and Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo) have today launched a new guide on tackling difference. The Intercultural Dialogue (ICD) online resource guide will, for the first time, give policy makers and practitioners around the world practical advice and good practice examples to support work on ICD.

The online resource guide looks at what factors contribute to intercultural dialogue and the challenges and opportunities this agenda presents for those working to improve understanding within and between communities at a local, national and international level. It highlights the impact that projects in areas such as sports and the arts can have in bringing people together to build relationships of trust and mutual respect.

But also makes clear that, given the challenges faced now and in the future around the ebb and flow of migration throughout the world, short term interventions within local communities, cities or countries are unlikely to be enough. Broader based intercultural dialogue supports the development of deeper and longer exchanges which can assist positive communication and provide opportunity to tackle hostility to all forms of difference.

Speaking at the launch event, Cohesion Minister Shahid Malik said:

'The best way to create a stronger safer Britain is to promote our shared values of tolerance, decency and fairness. Whatever your age, ethnic background or faith there are core values we all share and these are what we as a country need to foster.

'As this on-line resource guide shows there is more that brings us together than divides us. But we must not take this for granted. Both local and central government has got to be more active in reaching out to, listening and involving people who too often feel neglected. That is why we are about to start a new drive in the toughest areas where the challenges are most acute to make sure unfairness, whether real or perceived, is tackled.'

Mike Hardy, British Council, said:

“The first ten years of the 21st century were characterised by an urgency to understand each other better. We have mobilised our partnership with iCoCo to provide insight and confidence, where we can, to those working on this agenda. The next ten years or so will be more about learning to live together in ways that promote security, prosperity and environmental sustainability. Cultural relations using intercultural dialogue will make a significant contribution to this challenging agenda.”

Ted Cantle, Executive Chair of iCoCo, said:

“We know that many councils and community groups are doing excellent work in building sustainable projects that promote ICD. It is an approach we know can have real impact in building tolerance and respect between communities. It is time that people recognised the impact softer approaches, such as arts and sports projects, can play in helping us all deal with the pace and change within communities around the world.”

The ICD on-line resource guide is available at: http://www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk/BritishCouncil

For press information on the British Council please contact Eleanor Hutchins 020 7389 4981 or eleanor.hutchins@britishcouncil.org

For press information on iCoCo please contact Jennifer Tankard 07971 510085 or jennifer.tankard@oceanwavecommunications.co.uk

Notes to Editors

British Council

  • The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
  • We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people.
  • We work in the arts, education, English, science, sport and governance and last year we engaged face to face with 13.2 million people and reached 221 million.
  • We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government.
  • Our total turnover in 2008/9 was £645 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £209 million.
  • For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.21 from other sources.
  • www.britishcouncil.org


Click here to return to the previous page