The melting iceberg - Learn to swim in the sea of diversity and ambiguity

The first T-Kit on Intercultural Learning has been written 15 years ago and has influenced greatly educational practice in the field of Nonformal learning and European youth work. An update of this T-Kit is currently been worked on. SALTO Cultural Diversity in the UK has asked a group of experts to redefine intercultural competence; on the basis of this definition they made a research and produced a study on how intercultural competence is being addressed in Youth in Action projects – the report can be found here: http://www.salto-youth.net/rc/cultural-diversity/publications/. In all the debates one aspect seems to be clear – the notion of “culture” and “Intercultural Learning” as applied in the practice of the European youth field is too static and fails to address important dimensions threatening social cohesion (such as social injustice, discrimination, power relations, ambiguous identities). What is an adequate response to these developments for the European Youth field – in particular for the educational practice? New concepts and approaches are being developed and explored – eg. diversity conscious approach or the concept of ambiguity and change. Both are inviting to change perspectives, see more dimensions (social justice, discrimination, power relations, ambiguous identities) and reflecting personal attitudes. With this training course we would like to provoke and inspire. We are not interested in teaching the ‘right’ way but stimulate critical reflection – about personal attitudes, educational approaches and political understandings: The specific intentions are: 1. Inspiring participants to look behind their understanding of culture and Intercultural Learning. 2. Inviting participants to experience what it means to be diversity conscious and able to deal with ambiguity and change. 3. Providing participants the opportunity and space to critically review their educational practice when it comes to intercultural learning. So if you are a trainer active, youth worker or facilitator in the Youth field with experience in designing the educational programme of activities such as training courses, youth exchanges etc. apply now! For more details check out the attached document!