Interculturalism

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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 ostensibly used as an instrument to fight racism.

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, various cultures merge. The differences that remain make up the subcultures of the world.

[edit] See also

• Multiculturalism
• Cross-cultural
• Transculturation
• Cosmopolitanism
• Tolerance
• Intercultural communication
• Intercultural competence
• Interculturality
• Conference on Applied Interculturality Research

[edit] Further reading

• Open secularism, interculturalism, the fight against discrimination and guidelines for accommodation -- Bouchard-Taylor Commission http://www.accommodements.qc.ca/communiques/2008-05-22a-en.html
• 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.