Global citizenship education and intercultural learning: obstacles and opportunities

Intercultural learning is crucial to promote awareness of the challenges of living in an interconnected global society. Creating this awareness and improving intercultural dialogue, as well as the recognition, appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity are some of the main goals of global citizenship education. The relation between global citizenship education and intercultural learning is analyzed here through the example of various international educational organizations that provide intercultural learning opportunities through intercultural exchange programs abroad. However, this relationship is complex and characterized by important obstacles such as the promotion of national cultures as expressions of diversity, minimizing power asymmetries in intercultural relations, non-recognition of the ongoing tension between various normative claims for a more just and peaceful world, and finally the limitations of promoting cultural diversity by taking culture as a concept of inner homogenization and outer separation at the same time. To recognise these obstacles means creating further opportunities for learning to live together, as otherwise the proposed objectives may not be achieved.