African Union: Xenophobia as poor intercultural communication

Abstract

As the world moves toward globalisation, Africa in particular is addressing both intra-national and international communication crises. The author argues that specifically xenophobia, as a cultural blind spot and source of conflict, could be addressed functionally and formally. This article addresses and challenges the role of the mass media in Africa, and calls for changes in training and education. Additionally, it suggests that entire communities – and continents – hold varying degrees of responsibility in relation to the (international) communicative whole. The article presents and discusses such opportunities and challenges, and suggests tangible means by which higher standards of communicative – and subsequently cultural - behaviour might be achieved.