Intercultural Dialogue

Hands with different skin colors lying on top of each other

As our mission statement puts it: "In the future, the international context will play a more important role in our work, and a central topic will be the promotion of tolerance and dialogue among the world's cultures." In addition to new economic trends, globalization is also causing a pluralization of norms and values. Societies everywhere are becoming more multicultural, with cross-cultural contacts now an everyday event. On the one hand, opportunities for cultural participation are on the rise; on the other, the potential for intercultural tension is also increasing. Whenever conflicting world views, values or lifestyles come into contact, fear or disorientation can result. In such cases, the danger exists that cultural identities can be instrumentalized or taken to the extreme. Against this background, we develop solutions designed to prevent the "clash of civilizations" from becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Focus areas

International Cultural Forums

With its International Cultural Forum series, the Bertelsmann Stiftung comes into contact with non-European worldviews and establishes new networks in those regions that are particularly affected by globalization and whose economic and cultural importance are of key importance to Europe.

Salzburg Trilogue

We cannot partake in cultural dialogue if we don't first reflect upon and articulate our own position. Therefore, the Bertelsmann Stiftung began organizing the Salzburg Trilogue-a forum for discussing European values-as a supplement to its International Cultural Forum series.

Intercultural competence

Wherever intercultural dialogue takes place, the question arises of how "intercultural competence" will impact humanity's future, in both global and local contexts. In light of this, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has begun a dialogue to examine various aspects of this timely subject.