Why intercultural dialogue matters more than ever
Every year on World Day for Cultural Diversity, we’re reminded of how important it is to bridge gaps between cultures – working towards peace, stability and development across nations.
Across the globe, countries are becoming more interconnected with people, ideas and traditions exchanged more freely than ever before. Now, intercultural dialogue has become an important tool for promoting social cohesion and respect towards historical events.
Societies everywhere are becoming more culturally diverse and converged and though this transition is exciting, many cultural divisions and gaps have yet to be filled. One way we can all contribute to filling these gaps is through promoting shared experiences that create mutual understanding.
With nearly 9 in 10 global conflicts occurring in countries lacking robust intercultural dialogue, there has never been a better time to focus on building resources and initiatives that look to cut through the noise.
Some educational tools that we consider in our strategies at Cultural Perspectives include:
Translated educational resources
Toolkits and guidelines for various cultural groups
In-language audio walkthroughs
Accessibility-friendly presentation decks and applications
Community workshops and forums
Inclusive communications frameworks
With how quickly the media landscape has evolved, there’s now a wider variety of channels to host conversations about cultural differences. We see this take form in video series like Middle Ground by Jubilee or Ask Us by the University of Sydney, where perspectives from marginalised communities are highlighted, and meaningful discussions are held to address myths, stereotypes and events impacting ethnic communities.
Podcasts like SBS Examines help to provide deeper insight into culture and identify existing issues faced by people from diverse backgrounds.
More personal stories shared by users on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, Reddit and Discord have also prompted members of the public to partake in digital exchange and seek input from others online – especially from those with different cultural, social or lived experiences.
Most importantly, these different formats allow intercultural dialogue to be shared with more consumers from all age groups and backgrounds.
In Australia, where over 300 languages are spoken and nearly half the population has at least one parent born overseas, intercultural dialogue is necessary in helping to dismantle systemic barriers, challenge unconscious bias, reduce prejudice and build empathy across communities.
Australia has several ways of prompting exchanges between people from different backgrounds, such as:
Connecting through shared interests: Hosting multicultural food, music, art and sports events that foster social cohesion.
Collaborative community projects: Residents from diverse backgrounds working together to achieve a shared goal e.g environmental initiatives or volunteer work.
Structured forums and discussions: Forums like SBS’s Insight spotlight discuss contemporary cultural and social issues, such as the lived experiences of mixed-race Australians.
Public awareness campaigns: Digital campaigns like It Stops with Me and the Have You Thought About Later Life? by the Australian Human Rights Commission use storytelling and social platforms to highlight diverse voices and experiences.
Universities and multicultural councils: Workshops, seminars and courses are held by educational institutions and peak bodies to spread awareness on topics relevant to various cultural groups.
Intercultural dialogue isn’t just something to factor into large scale community events – it’s woven into everyday moments. A casual conversation between friends or colleagues from different ethnic backgrounds, sharing their cultural traditions, can spark deeper understanding and build genuine respect for perspectives beyond our own.
As World Day for Cultural Diversity approaches, we’re celebrating the distinctiveness of the community we are surrounded by, taking pride in the work that we do to bridge gaps between different cultures and perspectives.
For more information on our inclusive communications and engagement services, visit https://www.culper.com.au/
