Interculturality and civic engagement of young people in the digital age
Get to know more on the importance of intercultural experience for young people’s civic engagement pathways
Intercultural experiences create a climate of mutual respect by embracing and valuing the diverse cultural backgrounds of each individual. Culture is not static; it is dynamic and continually reshaped by economic, political, and social contexts, as well as by our interactions with others. Engaging with people from different cultures provides opportunities for both personal and collective evolution, as we share and learn from each other’s ideas, traditions, values, and perspectives.
Young people associate interculturality with different concepts and ideas, but this understanding varies within our sample. Some young people were unaware of the term ‘interculturality’ or had difficulty defining it, perhaps a question of familiarity with the term itself, particularly for those who have not had the opportunity to explore intercultural spaces or participate in meaningful cultural interactions. Furthermore, interculturality is a relatively complex and specific concept, which may not be widely known or used in certain contexts.
These intercultural exchanges have the potential to foster mutual understanding and build a shared world. For instance, discussions between individuals from different cultural backgrounds can lead to greater empathy and cooperation, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings, aggression, or even violence. The goal is to create an environment where every cultural perspective is respected and valued.
Such intercultural experiences can occur on various scales. Locally, you might meet people from different countries in your own neighborhood or city, while globally, traveling to other countries or continents provides more immersive experiences. For example, studying abroad or participating in international work exchanges often offers rich intercultural encounters that can be transformative. However, it’s widely recognized that travel can significantly enhance these experiences by allowing deeper cultural immersion.
We observe here that a majority of young people have had an intercultural experience
through an immersive experience (This reveals a strong correlation with the notion of travel, and that it is more common to have an intercultural experience through this means.
However, we also emphasize that this can be experienced locally, it can take multiple forms, but were not specified in our study. Also, we note that young people have had an intercultural experience online. We can assume that this is due to the rise of technological tools and new post-covid practices.
This shows that interculturality does not only involve travel, but can be understood in diverse and varied ways despite the predominance of immersive experiences.
Our study indicates that the ability to move across cultures, whether physically or virtually, plays a crucial role in personal development. It can lead to transformative experiences that inspire individuals to engage more actively in society.
The results show that interactions with other cultures have fostered a better understanding and acceptance of differences, thus contributing to the construction of a more inclusive society, the importance of intercultural communication and mastery of several languages in an increasingly globalized world, indicating that these experiences have enriched their intellectual baggage and understanding of the world. In short, these results highlight the importance of intercultural experiences in the personal development of young people, by promoting open-mindedness, language learning, self-confidence and the acquisition of valuable cultural knowledge.
However, barriers such as borders, visa regulations, financial constraints, and pandemics can limit these opportunities. Indeed, our survey analysis and study has shown that – while intercultural experiences offer invaluable opportunities for personal growth and global understanding – various barriers can restrict access to these exchanges. A key obstacle for many young people is the lack of information—41% report being unaware of the opportunities available to them. This points to a crucial need for improved access to resources and clearer communication about the benefits of intercultural experiences. Mobility restrictions, such as complex visa regulations, affect 32% of young people, adding administrative hurdles that can discourage participation. Time constraints, experienced by 30%, also pose challenges, as educational, professional, and personal commitments often limit the ability to engage in such programs. Another significant barrier is cultural bias, with 27% expressing apprehensions about encountering prejudice, underscoring the need for greater efforts to foster tolerance and understanding. Moreover, recent border closures due to the pandemic (19%) have revealed the vulnerability of in-person exchanges and the need for digital alternatives. Additionally, concerns around political instability (14%) and safety issues add further complexity, making it clear that inclusive, accessible, and secure platforms are essential for enabling intercultural encounters in today’s world.
The young people pay particular attention to language barriers, rejection of others, and visa-related obstacles. In contrast, youth workers are more sensitive to young people’s psychological and practical concerns, such as fear and apprehension as well as lack of time.
These differences can be attributed to the unique experience and perspective of each group. Young people, as direct participants, are more aware of the concrete challenges they face, while youth workers, as external observers, are more sensitive to psychological and practical aspects.
These divergent perspectives highlight the need to actively involve young people in the design of intercultural programs, taking into account their linguistic, security and administrative concerns, while providing emotional and practical support to overcome their fears and time constraints.
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