Intercultural learning is not a closed programme that may be repeated without continuous modifications. On the contrary, not only is the range of possible intercultural activities very wide, but we also have to question continuously what we are doing and why. It is impossible to buy a magic formula that can guarantee us success.
 

To help us know how and where to place the limits of each informal intercultural education activity, we should try to be aware of the following factors:

  • The content and the extent of the activity we are intending to organise. There is a saying in Spain, which sums it up nicely: “We cannot pretend to hunt an elephant with a fishing-rod.”
  • The context in which we are going to work and the limits it imposes on us.
  • The motivation of the participants will differ according to the venue and their motivations to attend.
  • The level of acquaintance and relationships we have with the young people with whom we are going to work. If we know them well and know that we can plan for longer term, this will have an effect on our objectives. Our planning process changes if we are going to organise a one-off activity with young people we don't know yet.
  • The level of participation in the activity. If participants feel responsible for the outcome of an activity, the results will be more positive than if they feel they have only a passive role to play.
     

On the other hand, we have to take into account that:

  • Isolated activities have limited effects. In intercultural learning, we are looking at values, attitudes and behaviour. Therefore, it would be desirable for each activity to be developed within a wider process but this does not mean that we should turn down even limited opportunities to facilitate intercultural processes; it is mainly a question of tailoring our ambitions.
  • The meaning of the activities should start with and must be referred to the participants’ daily life. We are aiming to generate positive attitudes in our own environment and to link that environment with the rest of the world.
     

How we approach each intercultural learning activity will depend on the specific possibilities with which we can act, as well, of course, as on the participants.

We have used these ideas and principles in designing the activities, but we acknowledge that it is neither possible nor logical to make hard and fast rules.
 

To summarise, it may be helpful to remember that:

  • Starting from an active and dynamic methodology...
  • we work with processes...
  • through which and by means of information, analysis and critical reflection of reality...
  • the participants in our work will:
    • find ways to interact with people from other cultures positively in their daily life
    • devise strategies to transfer that positive relation with people from other cultures into individual or collective actions.
       

Enjoy the work!