UNESCO Chair of Intercultural Competences

In August 2023, there was a ceremonial inauguration of the newest United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Stellenbosch University International (SUI), where the UNESCO Chair is hosted in the African Centre for Scholarship (ACS) hosted two days of successful activities related to intercultural competence that culminated in the official launch of the UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Competence on the succeeding third day.

Dr. Darla Deardorff, Chair, explained that the efforts ” focus on two main areas- that of research and of capacity-building, especially around the intersections of intercultural competence with peacebuilding, climate action and gender equality.  To that end, the Chair work will involve putting together and building out networks in these three areas, across South Africa and the continent.  We invite you to join us in this work, and help us identify others who can join in this work.”

Through CRGE, Elon is a global partner in this UNESCO chair. A working group to be named in 2024 will guide these collaborative efforts.

The CBGL Collaborative

The CRGE is proud to be a sponsor of The Community-based Global Learning Collaborative (formerly The Globalsl Network). This is “a network of educational institutions and community organizations that advances ethical, critical, and aspirationally de-colonial community-based learning and research for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.” Among other collaborative efforts, selected programs and courses at Elon are administering the Global Engagement Survey (GES). If you are interested in learning more, please contact Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler or Mat Gendle, Professors of Psychology who co-lead Elon’s participation in this community of practice.