The Intercultural Cities model is not ‘one size fits all’ with a rigidly pre-determined sequence of events and procedures. As such, this course contains recommended actions and suggestions on how, when and in what order they might best be achieved. However, what is expected of any city embarking on the Intercultural Cities agenda is that it is already a confident, competent and independent-minded entity that is able to creatively adapt the general concepts and actions contained in this course to fit local circumstances. It is also appreciated that no city embarking on the process is an empty slate and that each starts from a different place and is on its own unique trajectory of development. This course is, therefore, not an instruction manual but rather a menu and a toolkit.

Continue »

10. What forms an important element of the city's intercultural vision?

  • Support from the mayor and local NGOs.
  • Collaboration and recognition of diversity.
  • (1)Political leadership, commitment, and public awareness on the diversity advantage.

The first element of the city’s intercultural vision is political leadership and commitment. The intercultural city cannot emerge without a leadership which embraces the value of diversity and upholds the values and constitutional principles of society as a whole. It takes political courage to confront voters with their fears and prejudice, allow these concerns to be addressed in public, and invest money in initiatives and services promoting intercultural integration. Communication and public debate are essential elements of local diversity strategies. For an intercultural city vision to be endorsed by inhabitants, diversity needs to be publicly recognised as an asset, and unfounded myths and prejudices addressed to foster trust and cohesion. Political leaders committed to intercultural integration and inclusion also need to mobilise large networks of organisations, media and social media stakeholders, and individuals able to relay this discourse in the general public.

11. What is an important element of successful intercultural cities?

  • (1)Involvement of a large number of people and interest groups.
  • Working mainly with vulnerable groups.
  • Having a small, focussed task force in the city which works with the intercultural implementation.

Experience has shown that the most effective intercultural city programmes involve large numbers of people and interest groups. Creating such a broadbased network of support is not easy and there will be periods, as opposition emerges, when it seems that things are not progressing. However, only when there is understanding, support and active engagement from a wide and diverse constituency can you begin to achieve the synergies, new thinking and innovations that make this process effective.

12. Which of the following is important to include in the mapping process?

  • Working with well-known partners and groups.
  • Having sufficient materials to base the mapping on in form of reports and briefs.
  • (1)Practical understanding of the situation by those leading the process.

A very important aspect of mapping is the immersion of those leading the process in the real life and activities of organisations dealing with intercultural issues or working with different audiences. It is simply impossible to understand the intercultural dynamics, stories, narratives, actors and relationships from behind a desk, by reading reports and participating in meetings: intercultural leaders and co-ordinators need to go on site, to markets, town squares, events, organisation and functions, to listen, observe and feel the pulse of the community.

13. Which are some principles which can be used to foster broad participation?

  • Seek representatives of minority groups, a rigid process to channel the results, organising the consultations in one clear location.
  • Assumption everyone wishes to participate, communication in the usual channels, presentation only of the results.
  • (1)Recognising scepticism, intercultural sensitivity, clarity on the purpose.

Consultation and participation of communities in the development, implementation and evaluation of the intercultural city strategy is not only important and a value in itself; it is essential for achievement as it creates sense of ownership. A genuin intercultural city can only be achieved through the active participation of all the major institutions, groups and communities in the city. The strategy for engaging people needs to be diversified to reach out to very different people so that when the government changes it cannot change the policy as there are many people and organisations involved. Businesses should also be advocates of interculturality.

14. What is included in intercultural competence?

  • Only knowledge of different cultures.
  • Only that public officials recognise differences among groups.
  • (1)Knowledge of interculturalism and soft skills related to for example diversity.

The ability to understand each other across all types of barriers is a fundamental prerequisite for making our diverse democratic societies work and a key competence every individual should work on. Intercultural competences refer to the set of knowledge and skills necessary to act in an intercultural way. Trainings and tools in intercultural competence pursue a change of people’s attitudes, encouraging them to question the basic assumptions of their respective cultures. The objective is critical deconstruction of cultural identity as a consequence of contact with other cultures. Being interculturally competent has widely been recognised for decades as essential for peaceful coexistence in a diverse world. Intercultural competences make it possible for us to address the root causes of some of the most virulent problems of today’s societies in the form of misunderstandings across cultural, socio-cultural, ethnic and other lines: discrimination, racism, hate speech and so on.

Knowledge test results

[[score]]

 

↻ Start over Go to module 4 »