INTRODUCTION
With the current economic globalization, many individuals from many nations
and cultural backgrounds reside in the same city, either permanently or
temporarily, with local people causing the emergence of Multiculturalism as a result of the blending of many cultures forming a multicultural society.
Primarily this multicultural society is caused by the worldwide labor, international students and refugee flow. With the intent of promoting peace and harmony, respect of human rights within a multicultural society UNESCO have addressed this issue proposing principles that will help the young generation to cope with the multicultural society develop peaceful relations and friendship among the peoples and bring about a better understanding of each other’s way of life, and enable everyone to have access to knowledge and contribute to the enrichment of cultural life. The Educational working principles recommended to all countries are as follows:
Principle I Intercultural Education respects the cultural identity of the learner through the provision of culturally appropriate and responsive quality education for all.
Principle II Intercultural Education provides every learner with the cultural knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to achieve active and full participation in society.
Principle III Intercultural Education provides all learners with cultural knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable them to contribute to respect, understanding and solidarity among individuals, ethnic, social, cultural and religious groups and nations.
Furthermore the Intercultural dialogue is being encouraged across the globe through holding many conferences from UN different International agencies. Along with the Intercultural dialogue Interculturality is also being promoted as way of interacting with the people in a multicultural society.
INTERCULTURALITY: DEFINITION
Interculturality is a dynamic concept and refers to evolving relations between cultural groups. It has been defined as “the existence and equitable interaction of diverse cultures and the possibility of generating shared cultural expressions through dialogue and mutual respect. Interculturality presupposes multiculturalism and results from ‘intercultural’ exchange and dialogue on the local, regional, national or international level.
The practice of Interculturality goes along with challenges and opportunities in different areas of concerns such as in Education, Employment/Business, Digital Milieu and in the Church with its missionary and evangelizing activities.
Focusing in the missionary and evangelizing activities of the Catholic Church, without any omission and additions I have taken as reference Church of England, with its diverse congregations, communities, traditions, and theologies, that faces unique dynamics and prospects when engaging in intercultural mission work have identified the challenges and opportunities on interculturality.
It is worth taking the following formulation as an example on how to succeed in practicing Interculturality in our church.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
CHALLENGES:
- Cultural Sensitivity: Being culturally sensitive and avoiding unintentional cultural insensitivity or bias can be challenging. Effective intercultural mission requires a deep understanding of the diverse cultures within the Church of England.
- Language Barriers: Language diversity within congregations can be a barrier to effective communication and understanding, hindering the sharing of the gospel and fostering unity.
- Theological Differences: Different cultural backgrounds may bring various theological perspectives and practices. Balancing these differences while maintaining the core tenets of the Christian faith can be challenging.
- Leadership and Representation: Ensuring leadership roles reflect the diversity of the congregation and maintaining representation from various cultural backgrounds is crucial but may be challenging to achieve.
- Community Integration: Building strong relationships with local communities, especially in culturally diverse urban areas, can be challenging as it requires a deep commitment to community engagement and cultural understanding.
- Worship Styles: Finding a balance between maintaining traditional forms of worship and incorporating elements from diverse cultural traditions can be a challenge in maintaining the identity of the Church of England.
Opportunities:
- Rich Cultural Diversity: The Church of England’s diverse congregations offer a unique opportunity for cross-cultural learning and understanding, fostering tolerance and respect for different cultures.
- Mission to Immigrant Communities: Many Church of England congregations are in areas with significant immigrant populations. This provides a natural opportunity for mission work and outreach to these communities.
- Global Network: The Church of England is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which spans diverse cultural contexts. This global network can facilitate cross-cultural learning and collaboration in mission work.
- Interfaith Dialogue: Various faiths in the UK provide opportunities for interfaith dialogue and engagement, promoting religious tolerance and understanding.
- Cultural Exchange: Intercultural mission allows for a dynamic exchange of cultural practices, music, art, and traditions within the church, enriching the worship experience.
- Youth Engagement: Younger generations often have a more inclusive and intercultural perspective. Engaging youth in intercultural mission work can be particularly fruitful.
- Community Impact: By embracing intercultural mission, the Church of England can have a positive impact on local communities by promoting unity, social cohesion, and mutual respect.
- Inclusivity: Demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusivity in mission work can attract individuals and families seeking a welcoming and inclusive worshipping community.
To succeed in its intercultural mission, we in the Church of England must intentionally address the challenges while seizing the opportunities. This includes ongoing cultural training and education, adapting worship styles where appropriate, actively involving individuals from diverse backgrounds in leadership roles, and fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, and understanding among congregants. By doing so, the Church of England can fulfil its mission to share the love and teachings of Jesus Christ in an increasingly multicultural and globalised society.
CONCLUSION:
The Challenges and Opportunities of Interculturality In 21st Century is a complex topic and it is not easy to paraphrase nor develop more reflection since it’s already being dealt in different sectors worldwide. After reading a lot of references I am left with the with the principle that living in a multicultural society brings a lot of challenges yet it remains an opportunity to widen our personal and communal perspective that God’s creation is rich shown in different cultures and its wonderful to discover and appreciate differences and live with it peaceably under the light of the Evangelical Values taught and lived by our Lord Jesus Christ: The way, the Truth and the Life.
References
- UNESCO,2006 Guidleines on Intercultural Education, p.17; P.33-38
- https://stpaulsslough.org.uk/challenges-and-opportunities-for-intercultural-mission/
By: Sr. Nida B. Galera