UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences
The UNESCO chair program:
The UNESCO Chairs program aims to advance research, training, and program development in all of UNESCO’s fields of competence by building global networks and encouraging cooperation through the transfer of knowledge across borders. This initiative supports the creation of innovative solutions to pressing global issues, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthens the role of higher education institutions in addressing challenges such as sustainable development, cultural diversity, and education for all. By bringing together leading experts and institutions from around the world, the program helps to bridge gaps in knowledge and practice, contributing to a more informed and interconnected global community.
The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence:
The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence is an academic initiative dedicated to fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse cultures. It aims to promote research, education, and training focused on developing intercultural competencies necessary for navigating an increasingly globalized world. By facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, the Chair seeks to enhance the ability of individuals and institutions to engage in constructive dialogue and mutual respect across cultural boundaries.
The UNESCO Chair aims and objectives:
The UNESCO chair at Stellenbosch University, across South Africa, the continent, and globally, aims to build vital networks of researchers and practitioners around intercultural competence development and to act as a bridge builder between researchers, civil society organizations, and policymakers, both nationally and internationally.
The World Council, through it’s Founder, Dr. Darla Deardorff, is proud to serve as the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence hosted by Stellenbosch University.
I have the great honour of being the holder of this important UNESCO Chair (And first ever chair for intercultural competence) with its research program, dissemination activities and public engagements that are focused on the intersections of intercultural competence with peacebuilding, climate action, and gender equality across the continent and beyond. It is hoped that these activities, both in research and practice, will transcend the Centre, the university and South Africa to impact those throughout the continent and globally, through the work of our partners within Africa and the world.
UNESCO Chairs serve in the role of think tanks to connect higher education with the work of UNESCO through exchange, collaboration, knowledge transfer and sharing in the spirit of international solidarity.
…..
To learn more about us and the work we do, please explore our website. We would be honored to be part of your research, education, policy or other needs related to intercultural competence as together, we work to build a more peaceful world with all can thrive.
Dr. Darla K. Deardorff
UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence
Stellenbosch University, South Africa