Intercultural communication studies: the policy background Michael Kelly

Intercultural communication studies: the policy background

Michael Kelly

University of Southampton

Revised May 2011

Development of intercultural communication

• Main growth in 1990’s
• Demand from
• Business
• Government
• International organisations
• Students

Policy context for ICC

• Globalisation
• Trade and industry
• Mobility and travel
• Migration, diasporas
• Knowledge society
• Strategic role of higher education

European context

• Economic integration
• Single Market 1993
• Free movement of:
• Capital
• Workers
• Goods
• Services
• (information, Ideas)

European context

• Political integration
• Enlargement
• Ever closer union
• Political cooperation
• Citizenship
• Social inclusion

European context

• Cultural integration
• Unity in diversity
• Shared cultural heritage
• Developing cultural cooperation
• Convergence in Higher Education

Language context

• The problem of linguistic diversity
• Non-tariff barrier to mobility
• Competitive disadvantage in knowledge economy
• Mechanism of social exclusion
• Cultural barrier to cooperation and mutual understanding

Language context

• The solution of language education

If we are to derive more benefit from free movement within the single market, become more competitive in the knowledge economy and understand and be more aware of each other within an enlarged EU, we Europeans must make an effort to learn languages.

(Viviane Reding, European Commission, 2003)

• The Barcelona objective: 1 + 2
• Mother tongue plus two other languages