Local Communities: Working Interculturally

SUMMARY OF THE MODULE

The Module explores the importance of embedding intercultural dialogue processes in the settings of local communities. It presents the concept of Intercultural cities as defined by the titular programme of the Council of Europe, extracting methodologies and techniques from the field of management and strategy. Public participation and civic engagement are discussed and the role of local events as Intercultural Bridges Between Communities is analyzed.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

• Introductory video

• Content delivery in lessons

• Elaboration of relevant case studies and examples during the lessons development

• Provision of bibliography and references for further elaboration

• Assessment test at the end of the module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE MODULE

By the end of the module, participants will be able to:

• Get familiarized with the concept of intercultural cities

• Spread information about cultural heritage as a valuable asset and a tool in the 21st century; underline the importance of diversity in the world and how it is connected to and strengthened by the knowledge of cultural heritage

• Explore tools and methodologies of the intercultural cities programme of the Council of Europe

• Learn how to think and plan strategically

• Acknowledge elements of diversity management

• Implement diversity management techniques

• Get informed about Participatory Planning &Civic Engagement

• Select the relevant stakeholders

• Engage an intercultural community

• Understand the important role local events play in the cross-cultural communication and intercultural education of citizens

• Explore, through theory and case study examples, how local events can become more diverse and inclusive, contributing significantly to the promotion of values and behaviors which fight stereotypes, prejudices, social marginalization, and racism.

LESSONS OF THE MODULE

Lesson 1. Intercultural Cities in The 21st Century Europe.
Lesson 2. Management Theory in Intercultural Communities
Lesson 3. Public Participation in Intercultural Communities: A Practice of Inclusion
Lesson 4. Embracing Diversity: The Potential of Local Intercultural Events

KNOWLEDGE GAINED/ EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT OF THE MODULE

The following content is included in Module 4:

• The evolution of the intercultural cities concept

• The Intercultural Cities programme of the Council of Europe

• Definition of intercultural cities – key concepts – key elements

• The intercultural vision

• The 16 elements of the intercultural strategy

• Implementation and monitoring intercultural strategy

• Diversity management definition

• Diversity advantage as result of diversity management and strategies

• The 5 steps of managing

• Conflict Management Mediation and Conflict Resolution

• Participatory Planning & Intercultural Communities

• Community Engagement - Methods

• The Diversity Advantage: A Must-Have Perspective

• Understanding Intercultural Societies: A Historical Flashback

• Mapping Contemporary Intercultural Cities

• Intercultural Engagement in the Cultural Life of Cities

• Local Events as Intercultural Bridges Between Communities

• Local Intercultural Events – Positive Values & Behaviors

• Good Practices for Organizing Successful Intercultural Events

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

At the end of every lesson, learner is assessed through a short test of true-false, check–in and matching questions based on the theory of the lesson developed.