Round Table Discussion - Intercultural Competence

SALTO Diversity together with Italian NA will organise a Round-Table Discussion event in June, 2009. The objective is to gather researchers and youth workers/trainers to share and analyse ‘what is intercultural competence and how can we use it in connection to international youth work projects.’ Further implications of the event could include encouraging contact and sharing of best practise between youth work students and researchers; integrating an international(intercultural) dimension to their studies; thus future implementation of their learning on the ground, using European programmes such as Erasmus or Youth in Action training courses. It also hopes to develop a closer cooperation with the Council of Europe on this subject. Aims and Objectives The overall aim of this project is the introduction of the idea and concept of Intercultural Competence in a more concrete way. The aim is to create a pool of skills, tools and expertise to support trainers and university youth leaders/workers engaged in intercultural youth work across Europe. We are making links between the research at university level, and the implementation of it at grass roots (international youth projects). In order to reach the main aim, we have the following objectives: • Encourage contact and sharing between the two stakeholder groups • Develop a more concrete definition of the intercultural competence • Map out skills within the field of intercultural competence • Identify what tools, activities or training would assist youth workers/leaders in development of intercultural competence • Build a suggestion for a long-term European strategy on development of intercultural competence and its application within the formal education systems in Europe • Empower international youth work to take an active stand on international matters • Offer examples, share practices, learn from each other The participants will be chosen from different areas of representation. Half of the group will be composed from university level research within the field of intercultural competence and international youth work. Another half of the group will be active youth leaders and trainers that have practical knowledge and expertise in intercultural communication and youth project management. The selection of participants will be carried out by SALTO Cultural Diversity RC and Italian National Agency.