The importance of intercultural dialogue in global politics: Students build bridges in Tarifa

The importance of intercultural dialogue in global politics: Students build bridges in Tarifa | Photo: Papaioannou Kostas

On 7–8 May 2025, the Global Society Institute (GSI) in Tarifa hosted a two-day international workshop titled “The Importance of Intercultural Dialogue in Global Politics.” Organised under the Erasmus+ project “The Evolution of Democracy in the Course of Time,” the event brought together 36 secondary school students from Spain and Germany to examine the political importance of intercultural understanding in an era of increasing complexity and global interdependence.

Participants and context

To guarantee a fully immersive cultural experience, tandems were set up between each of the 18 students from Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium in Trier, Germany, and 18 Spanish students — 14 from IES Almadraba and 4 from IES Baelo Claudia in Tarifa, Spain. Thanks to the support of the local families and teachers, the German students were even able to stay overnight at their tandem partner’s home."

Organised by the GSI Head of Education Sabrina Förster and facilitated by the GSI team — Dr.  Christoph Geisler, Rea Fraser and Sabrina Förster — the workshop provided an immersive environment for youth to explore how culture influences political thinking, negotiation, and cooperation and how dialogue lays the foundation to working democratic systems.

Why dialogue matters in political contexts

At the heart of the workshop was the idea that intercultural dialogue is not a soft skill, but a political necessity. In global politics, where misunderstandings between nations can have serious consequences, dialogue serves as a vital mechanism for managing difference, building trust, and advancing peace.

This was reinforced through the workshop’s working definition:

“Intercultural dialogue is essential in global politics because it fosters mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful cooperation among nations and peoples with different cultural backgrounds. It helps overcome stereotypes, reduce prejudice, and build trust in international relations. By encouraging inclusive communication, intercultural dialogue supports conflict resolution, strengthens diplomacy, and promotes the values of human rights, diversity, and social cohesion. In a globalised world facing complex challenges, meaningful dialogue between cultures is a key tool for achieving sustainable development and global stability.”

This definition was unpacked through a series of experiential learning activities, linking theory to real-world diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Role plays: Understanding misunderstanding

One of the sessions involved intercultural role play scenarios that highlighted the political and emotional consequences of cultural misalignment:

·       In one, a German student and Japanese peer misread each other’s use of eye contact, underscoring how something as subtle as body language can lead to assumptions about trust or authority.

·       A scenario involving a group project between Spanish and German students revealed different cultural expectations around communication — direct versus reserved — and how they can affect collaboration and leadership perception.

·       Another explored differing views on punctuality and scheduling, when a Spanish student’s use of “mañana” created tension with a German peer.

·       A diplomatic simulation between a German and East Asian delegate demonstrated how cultural norms around criticism and conflict resolution can complicate international negotiations.

Each role play opened a discussion on the challenges of intercultural communication, especially in high-stakes settings like climate summits, peace talks, or multilateral forums. Students worked in pairs and groups to identify points of friction and propose respectful, informed strategies for overcoming them.

Experiencing the connection between dialogue and democracy

In another key activity of the workshop, students explored quotes from world leaders. Seated in mixed round-table groups, each consisting of both German and Spanish students, they were given a set of thought-provoking quotes to read and reflect upon. Each student first presented their assigned quote to the group, sharing their interpretation and personal response. The groups were then tasked with the challenge of democratically selecting one quote that best represented their shared understanding of intercultural dialogue. This process required active listening, open-minded discussion, and consensus-building—allowing the students to experience firsthand how intercultural dialogue and democratic values are deeply interconnected and practice the core principles of inclusive and respectful decision-making. The working phase concluded on a hopeful and unifying note with Rolf Zuckowski’s song “Children of Europe”, whose lyrics reflected the message of the workshop: “Children of Europe, let’s struggle to find justice and freedom for all of mankind.”

Grounding dialogue in global realities

To reinforce the connection between cultural awareness and global governance, participants engaged with video content from UNESCO that stated:

“Intercultural dialogue helps us better understand others and accept diverse views. It facilitates negotiation, agreement, and the creation of inclusive public spaces. It is the basis for a stable and inclusive environment.”

In follow-up discussions, students mapped out where intercultural dialogue occurs — from classrooms and digital spaces to peace processes and climate agreements — and what happens when it breaks down. Language barriers, cultural generalisations, and ideological rigidity were identified as key obstacles.

At the same time, students recognised the power of dialogue to promote global citizenship, reduce prejudice, and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those linked to peace, justice, and institutional trust.

Youth and the future of democratic leadership

The final session, “Building a Culture of Dialogue – What Can We Do?”, encouraged students to step into the role of emerging political actors. They got inspired to develop their own ideas to support intercultural understanding, from school initiatives to community-based projects and digital advocacy.

They also explored Robin Sharma’s "Everyday Hero Manifesto" and learned that you can’t initiate change if you never even try and that in the process you can only win or grow. The book also outlines seven virtues of transformative leadership — including authenticity, bravery, empathy, and responsibility. Through interactive reading, students were invited to consider how these virtues might guide their own contributions to society.

Reflections

The workshop ended with shared reflections, music, and a traditional paella lunch. Students expressed a deeper appreciation for cultural complexity and a renewed commitment to dialogue in their own lives.

One student commented,

“I never realised how much politics depends on understanding others — not just their language, but their mindset.”

The Global Society Institute’s closing message summarised the spirit of the event:

“A better world begins when we listen, learn, and build it together — one respectful conversation at a time.”

This workshop demonstrated that intercultural dialogue is more than communication — it is a foundation for diplomacy, peace, and sustainable global governance.