Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

In a world of interconnected economies, cultures, and identities, global citizenship is strategically embedded in mission and vision statements as our academic and business environments become increasingly complex. Simply learning about other cultures (having a cross-cultural approach) has not produced lasting positive impact academic institutions and businesses have been seeking. To discover creative and effective solutions to current and emerging challenges what is needed is an authentic engagement into a mutually grounded intercultural (not cross-cultural) learning. Being mindful about various cultural codes and being able to purposefully engage into a dialogue with intercultural (moving away from cross-cultural) mindset is the only path to success. This workshop is a practical and flexible tool which educates and equips individuals from different backgrounds not only to be respectful of cultural differences but to successfully leverage diverse ways of thinking, communicating and working. WORKSHOP CONTENT: The workshop is based on the Inter-Cultural Competence Model and is designed to introduce participants to a comprehensively designed learning series comprised of four components: awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills. This series takes participants on an interactive inter-cultural journey where participants are actively involved in experiential learning while sharing professional insights, personal observations (from the presenter and the entire group), as well as hands-on exercises which invite the participants to make sense out of the unfamiliar without losing their cultural “self.”