Displaying intercultural competence
Is the ability to support successful communication and collaboration among people from different cultural contexts and backgrounds. The youth worker has to address and deal with attitudes and behaviours behind this intercultural competence in [international] training and youth work. He/she approaches ‘culture’ from an identity perspective and understands ambiguity, human rights, self-confidence, acceptance versus own limits, and how geopolitical conflicts influence one’s understanding of these aspects. The youth worker takes these intercultural dimensions into account in their work.
- reflect on theories, concepts & experiences & apply these with regard to ambiguity & change?
- explicitly wrestle with my own biases, assumptions & behaviours regarding stereotypes?
- use appropriate tools & methods to support the group in deconstructing & reconstructing reality (wrestling with stereotypes, prejudices, assumptions, etc.)
- encourage young people to reflect on their own identity & related elements?
- explore the complex connections, among others, between identity, politics, society & history?
- identify and deal with issues of power in & with the group?
- facilitate awareness-raising with regard to conflicts that exist in the society & how they relate to intercultural dialogue?
- recognise and interpret words, body language & non-verbal communication in a culturally-appropriate manner?
- encourage self-confidence & demonstrate [a framed] flexibility in cultural & communicative behaviour?
- show willingness to speak a foreign language & overcome resistances and inhibitions?
- encourage young people to reflect and exchange ideas regarding issues such as solidarity, social justice, promoting/protecting human rights, discrimination, dignity & equality?
- my knowledge of the notions & concepts of acceptance of ambiguity & change?
- my knowledge of identity-related mechanisms & theories (with a focus on cultural contexts)?
- my knowledge of the theories & concepts of power relations?
- my knowledge of the mechanisms linked to stereotypical constructions of reality?
- my knowledge of discrimination mechanisms & how to address them?
- my knowledge of human rights, human rights education methods?
- my knowledge how to speak at least one foreign language?
- me being able to deal with ambiguity & change?
- me being able to deal with tension & conflict?
- my ability to raise awareness about each other within the group?
- my ability to work with interrelated dimensions of culture and identity?
- me being able to initiate critical reflection?
- me being able to address human rights topics through different methods (human rights education)?
- me being able to recognise discrimination & to understand the related mechanisms in order to react properly?
- me being able to conceptualise, apply, analyse, synthesise & evaluate information about or in the group?
- me being able to speak at least one foreign language?
- my openness towards the unexpected and towards ambiguity in the group & in the learning process?
- my openness and willingness to look at identity, culture & related aspects from different perspectives?
- my readiness to confront others and be confronted in a respectful & constructive way?
- my willingness to support & empower individuals and groups?
- being careful not use methods which implicitly reinforce stereotypes and discrimination mechanisms?
- my awareness that culture is a dynamic & multifaceted process?