Intercultural Competences in 21st Century

SUMMARY OF THE MODULE

Intercultural Competence is critical for professional, social, or personal relationships. The Intelligence Unit at The Economist reported that 90% of executives in 68 countries say cross-cultural management is their biggest challenge. This Intercultural Competence Module intends to increase the understanding of cultural differences and shed light on the knowledge needed to meet the global challenges that today’s world presents. It also introduces some skills and provides interactive tools to overcome intercultural misunderstanding and biases. The Module is composed of four lessons/sessions that will help participants appreciate the value of cultural differences and entice them to become more culturally competent.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

• Introductory video

• Content delivery in lessons

• Intercultural Competence Self-Assessment

• Elaboration of relevant case studies and examples during the lessons development

• Provision of bibliography and references for further elaboration

• Assessment test at the end of the module

LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE MODULE

By the end of the module, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate their own bias

• Analyze a situation from multiple viewpoints

• Learn to select and use an alternative viewpoint using intercultural communication

• Identify the culture and values and analyze how these aspects influence intercultural competency at the individual and communal levels.

• Engage in the process of building a body of knowledge of promising practices for yourself and your community.

• Become an ambassador of intercultural dialogue in your life and the life of your community.

LESSONS OF THE MODULE

Lesson 1. Fundamentals of Intercultural Competencies
Lesson 2. Systemic Biases and Discrimination
Lesson 3. Power Dynamics: Biases and Vulnerable Groups
Lesson 4. Intercultural Communication and Best Practices

KNOWLEDGE GAINED/ EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT OF THE MODULE

• Definition of intercultural competence

• Definition of observable and non-observable culture

• The Intercultural Development Continuum

• The “Dimensions of Diversity” wheel

• The Four Layers Model

• Systemic Biases and Discrimination

• In-group Bias

• Implicit or Unconscious Bias

• The Bias Iceberg Model

• The role culture in communication

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

At the end of every lesson, learner is assessed through a short test of true-false and check –in questions based on the theory of the lesson developed.