UNESCO Series of Regional Expert Consultations on Intercultural Competencies for Peacebuilding

In 2022, 33 active armed conflicts were reported globally and the number of forcibly displaced people passed 100 million for the first time. In total, since the adoption of the United Nations Charter in 1946, over 250 armed conflicts have occurred across the globe.UNESCO’s flagship report “We Need to Talk: Measuring Intercultural Dialogue for Peace and Inclusion”, published in 2022, demonstrates the link betweenintercultural dialogue and peace. According to the report, “89% of all current conflicts are occurring in countries with low intercultural dialogue”. Numerous studies also show that dialogue processes and intergroup contact can reduce the level of ignorance, prejudice, and bias against certain groups, which are often at the root of violence and conflict. Hence, to promote peace and eradicate violence, we need to enhance our capacities for intercultural dialogue. In this context, intercultural competenciesare more necessary than ever to bridge divides, create conditions for dialogue and build sustainable peace. Intercultural competencies are broadly defined as the knowledge, skills and attitudes that allow effective and appropriate interactionwith others across differences (due to ethnicity, race, gender, or religion, inter alia), whetherwithina societyor across borders.