Theories of Cultural and Educational Exchange, Intercultural Competence, Conflict Resolution, and Peace Education

Abstract

How do cultural and educational exchanges affect relations between the populations of rival states and societies? Before this question can be answered, it is important to step back and explore foundational theories that contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of issues underlying such exchanges. As the issue of cultural and educational exchanges in rival states is an inherently interdisciplinary one, theoretical understandings of the topic from a diversity of academic fields can be employed as frameworks for analysis, as demonstrated in the chapters in this volume. This chapter highlights some of the major theoretical frameworks that underpin cultural and educational exchanges, including those in intercultural competence and other intercultural development theories, conflict resolution, and peace education. As demonstrated by chapters in this volume, no single framework can adequately describe the complex processes involved in bringing resolution to rivalries between states and societies, and more context-specific and holistic understandings of the embedded issues can lead to a greater potential for encouraging effective cultural and educational exchange programs. While it is not possible for this chapter to cover all the relevant theories needed to inform these complex processes, the theories briefly explored here, from different disciplinary perspectives, provide a more holistic, systems view that can be applied to the intricate issues inherent in cultural and educational exchanges in rival states.