Inter-cultural Conflicts: National and Global Rights Mediation & Conflict Resolution

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”  What makes a better neighbor – fence, or no fence?  How might a wall make a good friend or neighbor?  What makes a better friend or neighbor, a good boundary or good communication?  Boundaries built when people stop respecting each other, listening to each other, or when they are threatened by the other person

“Don’t burn your bridges”  What do bridges do? (physically or figuratively)  When might people want to build a bridge?  What might “bridges” or “fences” symbolize, concerning inter- cultural relations and communication?

Applying these colloquialisms to national issues:

Communication and Inter-cultural Conflict  When people stop listening to each other, or treating each other with respect, miscommunication may occur  Miscommunication can lead to feelings of frustration or disrespect, which in turn leads to conflict or aggression  What happens next?

Communication and Cultural Taxonomy  Shalom Schwartz’s Cultural Taxonomy : three problems all cultures must solve  Preferences for relationships and boundaries – individuals and small groups  How people organize and coordinate their activities, concerning needs of larger groups  Orientation to social and natural resources

Communication and Cultural Taxonomy  Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Taxonomy : six dimensions of cultures  Power Distance  Uncertainty Avoidance  Individualism vs. Collectivism  Masculinity vs. Femininity  Time Orientation  Indulgence vs. Restraint

If miscommunication is recognized and stopped, conflict may be resolved  Disrespect >> Respect  Censorship >> Free Speech  Prejudice >> Tolerance  Not Listening >> Communication  Peer Pressure >> Confidence  Rivalry >> Cooperation  Indifference >> Compassion

For Next Class  Bring in a news article detailing an international conflict  NEXT WEDNESDAY 4/15: National Center for Civil and Human Rights  $10 Admission  Please read article posted on blog