UNDERSTANDING
‘Develop links and promote intercultural dialogue with groups. Develop my own, learning and intercultural competency’ (conference participant).
DIALOGUE
• Using local media to discuss this theme.
ADULT
• Lobbying local authorities and organisations in recognition of the importance of intercultural dialogue, and
LEARNING
• Improving practice by incorporating methods that facilitate intercultural dialogue.
Co-operate EDUCATION
• Making links with other organisations to strengthen the intercultural work of adult and community education providers.
INTERCULTURAL
Generally, the main actions that participants said they would take were:
PEACE
As part of the evaluation of the conference proceedings participants were asked to reflect on what action they might take in order to develop the role of adult and community education in facilitating ICD. A broad spectrum of responses were given including a number who stated that intercultural work between settled people and Travellers will be pursued.
SOCIALLEARNING
The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is now over, but the journey to promote it in Ireland and the EU continues. Since the conference AONTAS used the findings of this conference to inform its submission to the Department of Education and Science Intercultural Education Strategy.
LEARN
Conclusion Continuing the Journey
SOCIAL DIALOGUE
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‘Try to encourage integration of awareness of cultural diversity over entire education programme in centre’ (conference participant). In May of 2008 the European Commission made a call to EU nations to continue to foster intercultural competence in lifelong education.14 AONTAS joins their voice to that call and will continue to explore how adult and community education in Ireland can play a strong, vital role in the creation of intercultural communities.
14 NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES COUNCIL. (2008). Council Conclusions of 22 May 2008 on Intercultural Competences. European Commission. Brussels.
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