'Interculturalism' is the philosophy of exchanges between cultural groups within a society.
Various states have intercultural policies which seek to encourage the
socialization of citizens of different origins. These policies are often used as an instrument to fight
racism, overcome prejudice and misunderstanding of others.
Interculturalism requires an inherent openness to be exposed to the culture of the "other". Once a person is exposed to an element of a different culture, a dialogue will ensue, where everyone embarks upon understanding the culture of the other, and usually this involves comparisons. Thus, interculturalism breeds dialogue, in order to be able to look for commonalities between that element of one's culture and the culture of the other.
Interculturalism seeks to enhance fusion by looking for commonalities. Hence, a new world culture is constructed based on the fusion of all commonalities of cultures. The differences that remain make up the subcultures of the world.
See also
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Cross-cultural
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Transculturation
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Cosmopolitanism
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Tolerance
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Multiculturalism
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Intercultural communication
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Intercultural competence
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Thai-Maori Musical Exchange Project
External links
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Journal of Intercultural Communication
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polylog: Forum for Intercultural Philosophy
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interKulti
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National approaches to "intercultural dialogue" in the EU. A comparative study conducted by the European Institute for Comparative Cultural Research (ERICarts) for the European Commission in preparation of the year of intercultural dialogue.
interactive website:
[1]
Further Reading
★ Bennett, Milton J. (1998) ''Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication''. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.
★ Kohls, L. Robert; Knight, John M. (1994). ''Developing Intercultural Awareness''. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.
★ Storti, Craig. (1994). ''Cross- Cultural Dialogues''. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.