INTERCULTURAL CONFERENCES AS A BASIS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

ABSTRACT

Intercultural conferences offer a distinctive opportunity to enhance cross-cultural communication by gathering individuals from various cultural backgrounds to participate in discussions, share ideas, and collaborate on addressing global issues. These events are essential in fostering mutual understanding, promoting tolerance, and encouraging cooperation across different cultural contexts. This article examines how intercultural conferences contribute to effective cross-cultural communication, along with the benefits, challenges, and best practices for organizing and participating in these events successfully.

Keywords: Intercultural conferences, cross-cultural communication, global communication.

Introduction. Intercultural conferences - events that gather people from different cultures to exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, and explore solutions—have emerged as powerful tools for promoting cross-cultural communication. In the 21st century, in the era of globalization, the need for interstate cooperation has increased. As globalization brings people together from different countries and professional backgrounds, the need for collective understanding, respect and cooperation becomes unrivaled. These events provide a unique platform where people from different countries of the world can come together, share points of view and work on common projects. By creating spaces for dialogue, intercultural conferences play an important role in solving global problems, while simultaneously developing culture, economy and long-term ties between many countries.

Cross-cultural communication plays a crucial role in today’s globalized world, where people from different backgrounds regularly interact in both personal and professional contexts. Its importance can be understood through these aspects:

1. Achieving mutual understanding by removing barriers

Physical, linguistic, cultural differences between people can create challenges in communication. For example, concepts of politeness, hierarchy, or time management can vary greatly between cultures. But, through various conferences, countries get acquainted with the culture, traditions and non-verbal communication of other countries. In this way, an inclusive environment will be formed between countries, which will become the basis for respect for other people and the country. Creating an environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment is crucial for overcoming communication barriers. Removing these barriers, respect for differences is the main advantage of international relations.

2. Facilitating Collaboration and Solving Problems

Holding international conferences strengthens relations between states. Each conference participant have the opportunity to find solutions to global problems by sharing their thoughts and experiences. They can be climate, economic, medical, tourist. Solving problems opens the way to development. For example, The COP (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) is one of the world’s largest and most influential intercultural conferences, gathering thousands of delegates, experts, and activists from across the globe to discuss and negotiate climate change policies. It exemplifies how intercultural communication can be successfully managed on a global stage. Despite the varied cultural, political, and economic contexts of the participants, the conference serves as a platform for nations to engage in meaningful dialogue and reach agreements on collective actions to combat climate change.

3. Contribution to strengthening intercultural relations between universities

Many of universities have academic exchange programs. The goal of these programs is to strengthen intercultural communications and exchange educational programs. Academic mobility provides students with great opportunities to study and learn about cultures and their educational systems. It produces collaborations and promotes further cooperation between universities. It makes a great contribution to partnership between countries, developing communication skills, personal growth and having global learning experience.

We can consider the Erasmus+ program as an example. Through this program, students and teachers can have the opportunity to study or teach abroad, exploring the culture and education system of partner countries, developing intercultural skills and adapting to a new place, which helps to broaden their horizons. Erasmus+ conferences are great platform for participants from the field of education, whose are interested in making new connects, sharing ideas and experiences, discussing global challenges.

Experiment. We conducted a survey, a discussion among students, professors in the profession of cultural studies, philology and political science of our university. 90 respondents answered these questions:

1. What problems can people from different cultural backgrounds face when communicating with each other?
2. In what ways do intercultural conferences help build mutual respect and understanding among participants?
3. How do intercultural conferences facilitate effective communication between people from different cultural backgrounds?
4. Can you provide an example of a successful outcome from an intercultural conference that demonstrates effective cross-cultural communication?

The survey revealed that 55% of respondents identified language barriers as the main issue, while 20% pointed to cultural norms and 25% cited verbal misunderstandings and different communication styles. To address these challenges, 15% of participants emphasized the importance of translation services, while 20% adjusted their communication style for better understanding. Open dialogue (40%) and awareness of non-verbal cues (25%) helped reduce miscommunication. Structured dialogue and workshops (30%) fostered mutual respect, while cultural sensitivity sessions (25%) challenged stereotypes. Additionally, collaborative problem-solving (30%) and exposure to diverse perspectives (15%) improved cross-cultural understanding.

Conclusion. Intercultural conferences play an essential role in fostering cross-cultural communication in today’s interconnected world. By bringing together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, these events create opportunities for mutual understanding, collaboration, and the sharing of solutions to global challenges. Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, participants can bridge cultural, linguistic, and social barriers, which strengthens international cooperation and promotes respect for different perspectives. Key benefits of intercultural conferences include the facilitation of collaboration on global issues, the development of long-term relationships, and the enhancement of cultural awareness and sensitivity. Moreover, academic exchange programs, such as Erasmus+, further contribute to the deepening of intercultural relations by offering participants opportunities for personal and professional growth. Ultimately, intercultural conferences not only address immediate global concerns but also lay the foundation for future cooperation, building a more interconnected and inclusive global community. As globalization continues to shape our world, these events will remain crucial for fostering mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration across cultural boundaries.

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