Category: Events

UNESCO Chair Conference: Exploring Intercultural Competences in an African Context (Morocco)

EventsExploring Intercultural Competences in an African Context. UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences, Rabat, Morocco, 29 Sept-2 Oct 2025. Deadline: 1 Sept 2025.

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences hosted by Stellenbosch University has organized a second international conference, with contributions from academics and researchers, professionals, practitioners, educators, innovators, leaders and organisations with an interest in the theme. ​

The specific sub themes are:

  • How do aspects of Intercultural Competence intersect, interact and influence climate action, gender equality, or peacebuilding?
  • The existence and use of intercultural practices in pre-colonial times.
  • Intercultural tools available to the practitioner (for example; Cultural diversity and ethics; Ethical encounters and interactions; Culturally responsive teaching; Collaborative Online International (intercultural) Learning (COIL); tools for understanding values across multi-cultural and multi-religious societies)​
  • African Youth Perspectives on Intercultural Competence​

Responding to the theme and sub-themes above, organizers look forward to the sharing of research, reflections, lived experiences and examples from practice in the form of Workshops, Parallel sessions, and Poster Presentations.

Circle U: From Recognition to Inclusion: Rethinking European Languages in Education (Germany and Online)

EventsFrom recognition to inclusion: Rethinking European languages in education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany, and online, 26 September 2025, 10:00–17:30 CET.

Across Europe, educational systems tend to focus on hegemonial national languages—German in Germany, French in France, and so on—as legitimate means for classroom interaction. It is also these languages that are associated with European nation-states, understood as “modern languages” for educational curricula, and targeted as desirable competences in “European languages” by multilingualism policies.

However, the linguistic reality of Europe is far more diverse. Languages such as Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Kurdish, and Romani are spoken daily by large communities in Europe, and in this sense they are European languages, yet they are rarely treated as valuable cultural or educational resources.

Held on the occasion of the European Day of Languages, this open conversation explores how educational systems might move beyond narrow definitions of “European languages” and “multilingualism” towards practices of genuine linguistic inclusion—where all students’ languages are made visible, valued, and meaningfully integrated into educational life.

The programme features a keynote by Christoph Schroeder (University of Potsdam), followed by a panel discussion and a commentary from Elizabeth Beloe (German Federal Association of Networks of Migrant Organisations) on broader societal power dynamics, as well as roundtable sessions on educational policy and school culture & belonging. The panel brings together researchers, students, and practitioners who will share insights from research and practice.

This is a Circle U Open Conversation. Circle U is made up of nine European universities creating international opportunities. Other Circle U activities can be found here.

 

Intercultural Competences for Peacebuilding in Africa: Road to Global Peace (Webinar)

EventsIntercultural Competences for Peacebuilding in Africa: Road to Global Peace, a webinar presented by George Mutalemwa and sponsored by the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences, 24 July 2025, 15:00 CAT.

This free webinar series provides a dynamic platform for scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore the role of intercultural competence in fostering understanding, inclusion, and collaboration across diverse societies. Each session delves into critical global issues, sharing research, best practices, and innovative approaches to climate action, peacebuilding and gender equity​​. This session is presented by George Mutalemwa founding director of the Africa Peace and Development Network and Senior Research Fellow at St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT).

Constance Mbassi Manga: Language, Home, and Belonging in Migratory Contexts (Online)

EventsConstance Mbassi Manga will hold a virtual launch for her new book, Language, Home, and Belonging in Migratory Contexts, on 10 June 2025, at 7 pm GMT+1.

During the event, she will share key insights from the book, including:
🔹 A brief overview of Camfranglais
🔹 Why this topic matters now more than ever
🔹 Reflections on language, identity, and belonging in migratory contexts

There will also be time for comments and questions, to connect and discuss this topic.

👉🏾Click here to register: Event Registration Form

International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations 2025

EventsInternational Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, established by the United Nations in June 2024, now occurs on 10 June every year. In 2025, this will be marked by an event on 5 June in Paris. (follow the link above to register)

On the occasion of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the People’s Republic of China to UNESCO will host a Symposium on “Youth Dialogue on the Future along the Silk Roads”, on 5 June 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France. This event aims to foster reflection on the enduring legacy of the Silk Roads as spaces of encounter, cooperation, and cultural exchange, and to highlight the importance of intercultural dialogue in building more inclusive and peaceful societies.

The programme will feature a symposium composed of three thematic panels, each exploring a distinct facet of intercultural exchange along the Silk Roads:

  • Dialogue through Art and Literature
  • Dialogue through Philosophy and Spiritualities
  • Dialogue through Science, Knowledge and Know-how

    Each session will include interventions from young researchers of the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant, experts, and representatives of Member States.

The event will also feature an artistic performance, the official opening of the photo exhibition Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads, and a special video message and musical performance by world-renowned pianist Lang Lang.

Stellenbosch U: Webinar on African Perspectives on Intercultural Competence (South Africa but online)

EventsAfrican Perspectives on Intercultural Competence. UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences hosted by Stellenbosch University is pleased to announce a monthly webinar series on “African Perspectives on Intercultural Competence.”

The May monthly webinar will be held on 22 May 2025, 15:00 Central African Time (CAT): “Fostering Intercultural Competencies Through Culture and Arts Education in Africa” presented by Chief Moomen (Ghana), Poet, playwright and creative producer; and Jill Pribyl (Uganda), UNESCO Chair of Dance for Global Citizenship Education. Moderated by Cristina Cusenza of UNESCO. Open to all interested colleagues. Register here.

The July webinar will be held 24 July 2025: “Intercultural Competences for Peacebuilding in Africa: Road to Global Peace,” presented by Dr. George Mutalema, founding director of the Africa Peace and Development Network. Register here.

Depolarizing Dialogue (Netherlands)

EventsDePolarizing Dialogue. Speaker: Maja Nenadovic, Institute for Developing Across Differences, University of Groningen, Netherlands, 7-8 July 2025. Registration deadline: 3 May 2025.

DePolarizing Dialogue workshop with Maja NenadovicEveryday interactions increasingly provoke angry divisiveness , making civil discussion and respectful disagreements seemingly a thing of the past. Addresses the pressing issue of divisive rhetoric and polarized encounters in Europe and beyond – whether about the pandemic and self-expression, freedom of expression versus hurtful rhetoric, or otherwise.

Register for this workshop to help yourself and those you work with:
1. “Dial down” intense verbal encounters.
2. Diagnose communication problems in real time.
3. Apply “on the spot” strategies to transform polarizing interactions.

4th Annual World Council for Intercultural & Global Competence: Global Forum 2025 (USA but Online)

Events4th Annual Global Forum of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence, 22-24 April 2025, Online.

Join the 4th Annual Global Forum of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence for a virtual gathering of experts, educators, policymakers, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, students, and changemakers from around the world to discuss intercultural competence and global understanding. This online event will feature engaging keynote speakers including Irina Bokova, Lily Arasaratnam-Smith, and Carlos Cortes, practitioner panels, discussions, networking opportunities, and poster presentations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting to explore the world of intercultural and global competence, this forum is the perfect place to connect, learn, and grow. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of a global conversation on Our Shared Humanity, as well as issues around cultural diversity and global competence.

The cost for forum registration is $100 (note that registration is non-refundable; sessions will be recorded).

UNESCO: Intercultural Dialogue for Conflict Transformation (France but Online)

Events

Intercultural Dialogue for Conflict Transformation Briefs Series, UNESCO, Paris, France, 1 April 2025, 3-4:30 pm (Online).

In an era where geopolitical power struggles disrupt traditional peacebuilding, where identity and misinformation fuel divisions, and where trust in institutions is eroding, UNESCO’s Intercultural Dialogue for Conflict Transformation briefs series presents an adaptable, culturally grounded, and people-centered approach to peacebuilding. With 89% of conflicts worldwide occurring in countries with limited capacity for intercultural dialogue, this series takes an essential first step in examining dialogue as a powerful practice for preventing conflict, fostering reconciliation, reimagining transitional justice, and strengthening social cohesion.

Through actionable recommendations, each brief in this series provides practitioners, policymakers, and civil society with the essential guidance needed to tailor and embed intercultural dialogue in their respective contexts, thereby making peace processes more inclusive, locally led, and sustainable.

Join for an engaging 90-minute online event, where keynote speakers and expert panelists-including the authors of the briefs-will unpack key recommendations and engage in an insightful conversation on how dialogue can foster a more peaceful, cohesive, and just world.

East-West Center Summer Institute 2025: Contemporary Asias (USA)

Events

Summer Institute: Contemporary Asias, East-West Center, Honolulu, HI, USA, 9 June-4 July 2025. Deadline: 5 March 2025.

Contemporary Asias: Pluralities Beyond Areas is a 4-week Institute for college and university teachers on the East-West Center campus in Honolulu by the Asian Studies Development Program. This multidisciplinary program will explore recent changes in the production, structuring, and sharing of knowledge about Asian cultures and societies, and how these changes might foster knowledge communities that are more collaborative, responsive, and attuned to the pluralities of Asian experiences. Combining methodological reflections on area studies with context-rich engagement with key dimensions of societal and cultural transformation in contemporary Asia, the Institute will support diversity-focused teaching and learning and next-generation digital humanities.