Introduction

Professionals working in intercultural relations, conflict resolution and social adaptation need necessary updating of skills and training when dealing with processes of decentralization and social problems facing indigenous populations in urban, agricultural, mining and fishing immigration areas.

TRAINING IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKING PLACE
VIRTUAL FORUM
LATIN AMERICAN – CANADA – USA – EU – ASIA
Organized by:
Centro Boliviano de Estudios Multidisciplinarios (CEBEM)a research and learning organization
In collaboration with:
Centre for Intercultural Communication (UBC-CIC), University of British Columbia
Centre for Sustainable Community Development (SFU-CSDC), Simon Fraser University
International Secretariat for Human Development (ISHD)
ZAK | Zentrum für Angewandte Kulturwissenschaft und Studium Generale
Förderverein der Postgraduierten des Instituts für Regionalwissenschaft (IfR) e.V.
Deutsche Evangelische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Erwachsenenbildung
With the financial support of:
International Development Research Centre (IDRC-Canada) a Canadian institution that supports innovative research and knowledge mobilization projects for the sustainable development of the Global South.

DESCRIPTION

CEBEM invites participation in this Forum with the aim of discussing and reflecting upon the relevance and need of communication and intercultural competencies in work environments. The forum will last four weeks. Four topics will be covered:

1. Importance of culture and interculturality in professional development
2. Intercultural communication in work environments
3. Cultural conflicts: causes and consequences in the professional environment
4. Stereotypes and attitudes about foreignness

The forum is directed to professionals and practitioners from Canada, the USA, and Latin America as well as Asia and Europe who are interested in learning about, expanding and developing skills in the area of Interculturality, and obtaining tools for the successful implementation of projects in the international arena.
The objective of the Forum is to identify areas for work, training and research on Intercultural Communication and establishing professional and scientific networks for communication and information exchange.

DATE

June 15 - July 9, 2010
Four weeks

LANGUAGES

Spanish, English, German

OBJECTIVES

The forum is directed to respond to the following questions:

1. What aspects of Culture and Interculturality are basic elements for professional development? Why?
2. What guidelines for learning and training in the area of intercultural communication are important to develop and apply? Why?
3. What effective strategies can be developed to minimize the effects of cultural conflicts in professional and/or personal relations?
4. What should be the content of a special training program to work effectively in foreign cultural contexts?

RESOURCES

Based on selected readings and working questions, discussions will be led by a specialist and moderators who will respond to questions, comments and suggestions of the participants. Bilingual assistance will be provided. 
The participants will have the possibility to learn how to dialogue in innovative intercultural formats, indentifying key issues, learning around most important issues on Intercultural Communication, and sharing their work experiences. At the end of each topic the contributions of the participants will be systematized for their publication on the web.

EXPECTED PRODUCTS

1. Establishment of an international and interdisciplinary community interested on the issue.
2. Identification of thematic areas and content for courses in virtual or classroom format on intercultural topics.
3. Identification of research areas.
4. Identification of programs, methodologies and tools to approach the issue. 

COORDINATION

The coordinator will be Ana Rosa Lopez de Cardenas, lic.rer.reg., specialist in Social Communication for Development, M.A. in Political Action and Citizen Participation in the State of Law (Madrid, Spain), M.A. in Regional Science and Regional Planning and with complementary studies in Applied Cultural Science (Karlsruhe-Germany). Ana Rosa Lopez will be supported by moderators from Canadian universities and CEBEM.

REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION

La inscripción al foro no tiene costo. La primera versión del foro se encuentra en ejecución. Próximamente se anunciara la fecha para la segunda y tercera versión.
Register
Questions in Spanish, English or German

Intercultural University for Indigenous Communities and Nations "Amawtay Wasi" (UIAW)

It is a superior education proposal originated inside indigenous movements, sponsored by Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador "CONAIE", Instituto Científico de Culturas Indígenas "ICCI", and Amawta Runakunapak Yachay "ARY".

It is the result of a long work, debate and systematization period carried on by an interdisciplinary team including directives, professors, peasants, researchers and other indigenous and non-indigenous professionals. This process begun in the mid 90's, achieving the conclusion of its first phase by the creation of the University in 2004.

http://www.amawtaywasi.edu.ec

Intercultural conflicts: A regional initiative

This is a regional project aimed at the consolidation of democratic governance by strengthening intercultural relations and protecting the rights of indigenous people. One of the purposes of the project is to prevent and solve conflicts that affect indigenous populations in the region. The initial focus of the project is in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

http://conflictosinterculturales.cebem.org

The Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development Project

This project is being executed thanks to the agreement between the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and the University of Saskatchewan from Canada.

http://www.proyectopueblosindigenas.org