Category: Applied ICD

UNESCO Survey on ICD

Applied ICDA new report, entitled the UNESCO Survey on Intercultural Dialogue 2017, presents the findings of groundbreaking survey developed by the UNESCO Sector for Social and Human Sciences and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. This was the first UNESCO survey on intercultural dialogue conducted among its Member States. It was designed to take stock of the current conceptual understanding, policies, and legislation, as well as available data, resources and main stakeholders in this field.

The results provide unique perspective on country-specific policies on intercultural dialogue. They also offer a point of analysis for monitoring and policymaking purposes. The survey was sent to all 199 National Commissions for UNESCO in six official languages.

Key findings include:

  1. Defining intercultural dialogue: Context is crucial to defining and applying intercultural dialogue.

  2. Policy framework: The majority of respondents (71%) state that an intercultural dialogue policy is in place in their country, while only 38% of respondents confirmed the existence of a definition of intercultural dialogue at national level.

  3. Challenges: Past and present conflicts and violence represent significant and complex challenges to bringing different people together in dialogue.

  4. Enabling factors: An environment based on respect, tolerance and acceptance is essential to enable intercultural dialogue to thrive.

Paper Airplanes: English Tutors Wanted (Summer/Fall 2018)

Applied ICDPaper Airplanes is looking for English tutors for summer and fall terms. Summer term will run from June 17-August 31, 2018. Fall term will run from September 9-December 16, 2018. The application is available here.

Paper Airplanes provides free, one-on-one virtual language and skills instruction to people affected by conflict. Our goal is to help our students learn critical languages and marketable skills for their pursuit of higher education and employment. No prior tutoring experience or Arabic language skills required, although both are appreciated. Please contact Paper Airplanes Director of Programming, Dr. Anna Farrell, with any questions.

Using Technology to Aid Migration: MigApp

Applied ICDWith 250 million international migrants, and 750 million internal migrants, 1 in 7 people in the world now is a migrant (MigApp Data Sheet, 2017). The International Organization for Migration (IOM, the UN migration agency) has developed MigApp to provide a platform for migrants to use in sharing their experiences, as well as to access verified and accurate information. Migrants also gain a translation tool to use with healthcare professionals and a low-cost way to transfer money (necessary because international migrants from developing countries send home over USD$600 billion annually.). Governments gain a platform to use in directly informing migrants of policies, such as visa regulations. IOM gains a tool to get information about their programs directly to migrants, learn what information is most useful, and what else is needed by the population they serve.

IOM Definition of “Migrant”:  “IOM defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of (1) the person’s legal status; (2) whether the movement is voluntary or involuntary; (3) what the causes for the movement are; or (4) what the length of the stay is. IOM concerns itself with migrants and migration‐related issues and, in agreement with relevant States, with migrants who are in need of international migration services.”

SPEAK: Crowdsourcing Language and Culture Exchange

Applied ICDSPEAK is a language and culture exchange that fights intolerance by promoting diversity, creating new networks and sharing languages. It is primarily based in Portugal (a country that is doing a particularly good job at accepting and integrating new immigrants), but also Spain, Germany, and Italy.

From their website: “SPEAK is a linguistic and cultural program built to bring people closer together – a crowdsourcing language and culture exchange between migrants and locals that breaks barriers, promotes multilingualism, equality and democratizes language learning. Anyone can apply to learn or teach any language or culture including those of the country where they are residing. Continue reading “SPEAK: Crowdsourcing Language and Culture Exchange”

BBC Series: Crossing Divides

Applied ICDBBC is running a series titled “Crossing Divides” which should be relevant to many followers of CID. The latest video is Two cultures, two languages, two teachers…one classroom. It shows the work of Hand in Hand, an organization which brings together thousands of Jews and Arabs in six schools and communities throughout Israel.

NOTE: Hand in Hand has a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities for those interested.

Intercultural Cities and Quality of Life

Applied ICDSince 2008, the Council of Europe, through its flagship programme Intercultural Cities, has supported more than 120 local authorities in Europe and around the world, in designing and implementing inclusive policies and strategies for migrant and refugee integration according to the Intercultural approach. Based on the notion of “diversity advantage”, these strategies are founded on the assumption that diversity can be an asset for communities if managed in a positive and competent way; they mobilise leaders, policy officials, professionals, businesses and civil society towards re-shaping city policies and services to make them more effective and engage citizens in building an understanding of the societies’ diversity(ies) as a competitive advantage for all.

A new study by the Migration Policy Group enquires whether the Intercultural integration approach advocated by the Council of Europe, leads to a better quality of life in diverse cities. The results confirm a strong statistical link between local intercultural policies and local well-being.

Continue reading “Intercultural Cities and Quality of Life”

Global Governance & International Law Summer School (Belgium)

Applied ICDGLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW SUMMER SCHOOL, 2- 6 JULY 2018, Leuven, Belgium.

The Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies (University of Leuven) and the Dean Rusk International Law Center (University of Georgia School of Law) are delighted to welcome you to study international law and global governance with us over the course of the week.

Through lectures, discussions, and a high-level conference, you will explore global governance – how state, regional, and international legal regimes, plus individuals, corporations, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, networks, and other nonstate actors interact. A range of global challenges will be discussed, such as trade and sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.

Continue reading “Global Governance & International Law Summer School (Belgium)”

Venice Academy of Human Rights 2018 (Italy)

Applied ICDEIUC has announced the launch of its 2018 Venice Academy of Human Rights, an international and interdisciplinary programme of excellence for human rights education, research and debate. It provides an enriching forum for emerging ideas, practices and policy options in the field of human rights. The Academy hosts distinguished experts to promote critical and useful research and innovation through the exchange of current knowledge.

The 2018 Venice Academy of Human Rights will focus on “Migration, Mobility and Diversity: New Horizons for Human Rights”. EIUC is honored to welcome back Professor François Crépeau, former U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants from 2011 to 2017, current Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism at McGill University, Canada and recently appointed 2017-2018 International Francqui Professor at Université catholique de Louvain, to the Monastery of San Nicolò which he will act as the Academic and Scientific Coordinator of the Academy.

Early Bird: 11 April 2018
Registration Deadline: 23 May 2018

EIUC Venice School of Human Rights (Italy) 2018

Applied ICDEIUC is glad to announce the next Venice School of Human Rights, 9-16 June 2018. Registration deadline extended to 14 May 2018.

It allows its participants coming from all over the world to list these challenges and examine their reasons and possible solutions they can deploy. The EIUC Venice School at the same time, combines theory and practice and its faculty involves both academics and practitioners. The Venice School intends to highlight that the respect for human rights is the responsibility of all, that “Human Rights are our responsibility”.

Dialogue as a Peacebuilding Process (Canada)

Applied ICDEach year Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP), an institute of Canadian Mennonite University, invites the peacebuilders of the world to gather in Winnipeg, Canada, for a selection of five-day courses in June. Come take a course or two for professional and personal development or for academic credit. We offer courses from local, national and international peacebuilders, to serve practitioners, professionals, activists, students, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based groups. Consider learning with this international network in various approaches to peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation, conflict resolution, and development. CSOP Dates: June 11-15, 18-22, 2018. Application deadline: April 1, 2018.

Join us for “Peace Skills – Dialogue as a Peacebuilding Process” at the 2018 Canadian School of Peacebuilding, with instructors Maria Ida “Deng” Giguiento and Paulo Baleinakorodawa. Courses are available for professional development, personal inspiration or academic credit. In a culturally and socially diverse society, discussion of differences is needed to facilitate understanding and build relationships among people. Through this course, students will explore their own and others’ narratives in various social and institutional contexts, while learning from each other’s perspectives and from the practice of dialogue. Students will expand options for taking action to create change and bridge differences at the interpersonal and social/community levels. This course is valuable for those engaged in group and community processes. This course is offered in partnership with Resolution Skills Centre (RSC) and Mediation Services and counts as 2 days of elective credit towards an RSC certificate.