UNESCO. (2020). The socio-cultural impact of COVID-19: Exploring the role of intercultural dialogue in emerging responses. Paris, France: UNESCO.
This report published by UNESCO argues that intercultural dialogue (ICD) is a substantial part of how the world responds to global challenges such as the pandemic.
[T]he emerging post COVID-19 world will be shaped by new dynamics and complex realities immersed in virtual inter-connectivity and driven by cross-sectoral engagements. To this end, the ICD agenda will have a significant role to play in developing a new socio-cultural compact that will contribute to shaping the way we live, work, connect and engage across national, ethnic and civilizational lines. (p. 15)
In addition to agreeing with the general sentiment, I was delighted to read the friendly comments about the report I prepared for UNESCO 8 years ago:
In its influential 2013 report ‘Intercultural Competencies: conceptual and operational framework‘ UNESCO approaches intercultural dialogue (ICD) as assuming ‘that participants agree to listen to and understand multiple perspectives, including even those held by groups or individuals with whom they disagree’. (p. 2)
Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Director
Center for Intercultural Dialogue
She teaches French at all levels and works daily in an organization that counts over 100 nationalities drawn from every continent. Before joining IESEG, Claire worked in Marketing in England and later joined a digital company operating in a multicultural context on 15 markets. Claire then decided to change professional orientation and spent time in Savannakhet, Laos, teaching French. Since then she has taught French in several companies, in Paris, working with students from different professional and cultural backgrounds.
