Definitions
There is no single and universally accepted meaning of "Intercultural Dialogue". Indeed when the European Commission launched EYID by asking 27,000 EU citizens what they thought the phrase meant, by far the most common response (36%) was total puzzlement. However, a forum organised by the Council of Europe in November 2006 suggested the following:
- "an open and respectful exchange of views between individuals and groups belonging to different cultures that leads to a deeper understanding of the other's world perception".
Other definitions or usages have been closer to concepts such as inter-religious dialogue and often to active citizenship learning. In a number of countries the phrase refers to dialogue between indigenous people and immigrant peoples, and it can also be used as a metaphor for forms of contact between countries which are not based on military power.
The text adopted by the European Union on EYID does not use any specific definition, but it underlines the role of intercultural dialogue in:
- respect for cultural diversity in the complex societies of today
- the role of dialogue and greater mutual understanding in developing equal opportunities for all
- supporting the EU's commitment to solidarity and social justice
- enabling the EU to forge partnerships with other countries and make its voice better heard in the world.
Read more about this topic: European Year Of Intercultural Dialogue
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