Intercultural dialogue guidelines
Guidelines for intercultural dialogue in non-formal learning / education activities

Introduction
In 2009, a group of international organisations concerned with intercultural dialogue in non-formal learning jointly decided to carry on a feasibility study – initially under the coordination of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe and later through the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth – in order to understand the approaches to intercultural dialogue that youth organisations were using in their non-formal learning activities in Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean region. The results of the study revealed many different uses of the terminology, a diversity of approaches, but very few assessments or comprehensive guidelines. Considering such outcomes, a group of experts – trainers, practitioners, researchers – was brought together to develop a tool that serves as guidelines for trainers and facilitators who organise intercultural learning activities.

Who are the guidelines for?
These guidelines were created to support organisers, trainers, facilitators of youth activities to consciously address intercultural dialogue in their projects. The guidelines refer to learning principles, methodologies and practices. While there is no universal recipe for addressing intercultural dialogue, the use of certain principles can help organisers of intercultural learning activities use a more coherent approach and enhance the quality of their activities. By ensuring a common understanding, the tool facilitates exchanges with organisers of youth activities from different parts of the world.

What previous competences are needed to use this tool?

How to approach this document?
These guidelines offer an insight into specific aspects that need to be taken into account throughout the life cycle of an international/intercultural activity in order to create this environment. The interested users will find here a basic introduction into intercultural dialogue (ICD) as a broader concept, related concepts, and their relevance to learning and education in non-formal settings and youth work.

Principles of intercultural dialogue in non-formal learning activities

Background information and related resources
This project was initiated and developed in the framework of the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth and the partners involved in Euro-Mediterranean activities: the Anna Lindh Foundation, the League of Arab States, the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, the European Youth Forum and SALTO Euro-Med Resource Centre. Many other institutions and individuals have contributed over the years in bringing the project to where it stands today, including the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre, the INGO Conference of the Council of Europe, the European Federation for Intercultural Learning, the Centre for Cross-Cultural Learning, Morocco, the Intercultural Institute of Timisoara, Romania, the International Center for Intercultural Research, Learning and Dialogue, Armenia.

Indicators for intercultural dialogue in non-formal education activities
The following criteria and their related indicators for intercultural dialogue aim at helping organisers / facilitators / trainers of non-formal learning activities to reflect more in-depth on dimensions of intercultural dialogue in their activity.
