Abstract
Intercultural dialogue (ICD) refers to a process of contact, interaction and exchange of views on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual understanding between individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds. A large body of research has discussed ICD and its potential value for fostering social cohesion and peaceful coexistence across difference. However, there is a lack of robust benchmark data that precludes researchers and practitioners from empirically testing assumptions and hypotheses pertaining to ICD. This article discusses the development of the Intercultural Dialogue Index (ICDI), a proposed composite index for measuring the extent to which ICD is being pursued and implemented as a diversity management tool within different countries. The index builds on the conceptual assumptions underpinning ICD, uses publicly accessible data, and applies methods that allow for replication, upgrading and comparability with relevant indices. This article assesses ICD prevalence for 51 countries based on three interrelated dimensions covering legislative and structural environments as well as opportunities for intercultural encounters. Altogether, 31 indicators across the three dimensions are identified and grouped under 10 broad components to capture both macro- and micro-level factors affecting ICD and intergroup relationships nationally and globally. The article briefly summarises some preliminary ICDI findings and discusses key methodological constraints and conceptual challenges. Theoretical and practical implications of ICDI are also provided.
Highlights
In the context of persisting challenges and crises ranging from socio-cultural discrimination and economic inequalities to environmental degradation, and in the face of new acute health crises linked to global pandemics, the global community urgently needs meaningfulThe original online version of this article was revised due to retrospective open access.1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)dialogue, engagement and collaboration to overcome these problems in inclusive and sustainable ways
With its strong emphasis on social cohesion, intercultural relations and civic integration, interculturalism has been presented as a possible theoretical alternative to multiculturalism which has been critiqued and in some cases blamed for the problems affecting the diversity agenda in many émigré societies (Cantle 2012)
This paper discussed and presented the conceptual, empirical and data-specific issues that shaped the development of the Intercultural Dialogue Index (ICDI), a composite index for assessing overall structural conditions for positive intercultural relations within individual countries
Summary
In the context of persisting challenges and crises ranging from socio-cultural discrimination and economic inequalities to environmental degradation, and in the face of new acute health crises linked to global pandemics, the global community urgently needs meaningful. While the ICI provides a valuable tool for comparing ICD at the city level, there is no established comparable index at the national level that captures the important macro-level policies that create the requisite societal conditions for the pursuit of intercultural goals. This gap in research precludes both the assessment of countries’ performance in achieving favourable intercultural relations, and the potential for making nuanced and meaningful international comparisons around the management of diversity. A summary of the main theoretical and practical implications of this study are presented at the end of Sec. 5
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