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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2043/7099
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| Title: | Intercultural Communication for Development : An exploratory study of Intercultural Sensitivity of the United Nations Volunteer Programme using the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity as framework |
| Authors: | Taketani, Keisuke |
| Date of Issue: | 2008 |
| Language: | eng |
| Keywords: | Communication for Development
Interculutal sensitivity
Culture
United Nations Volunteer |
| Publication type: | D |
| Publisher: | Malmö högskola/Konst, kultur, kommunikation, K3 |
| Abstract: | The purpose of the study is to (1)analyze the level of intercultural sensitivity of
United Nations Volunteer (UNV) volunteers in terms of interpersonal communication in
a multicultural working environment; (2) explore how UNV volunteers interact and
communicate in a multicultural environment at community level by developing a
cognitive structure to understand differences in culture and; (3) identify the level of intercultural sensitivity of the UNV volunteers.
This study is intended to make a contribution to the research on Communication
for Development from the perspective of Intercultural Communication, particularly by
using the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) as a framework to analyze the Intercultural experiences of a number of UNV volunteers.
The qualitative survey was conducted with selected UNV volunteers including
national, international and former UNV volunteers from February 15, 2008 for 4 weeks. A total of 48 UNV volunteers from 26 countries, serving in 24 countries, participated in the survey. The methodology of content analysis was applied to analyze their intercultural sensitivity and communication skills.
The results show that UNV volunteers experience a wide range of intercultural
situations, including: language and relativity of experience, non-verbal behaviour, communication styles, monochronic and polychronic time, values and assumptions.
Whereas some UNV volunteers seem to be at the ethnocentric stage, the majority of
respondents are at the ethnorelative stages, which include the acceptance and adaptation
stages of DMIS.
In order to improve cultural sensitivity, intercultural trainings are provided to
selected UNV volunteers at headquarters in Bonn. This study points to the need for the
UNV programme to design and implement structured training in intercultural sensitivity for all UNV volunteers. These trainings should not be given only at Headquarters, but in every Country Office or Support Unit as part of a mainstreamed procedure for both national and international UNV volunteers.
Building the capacity of intercultural communication and intercultural sensitivity
of UNV volunteers will lead to optimal outcomes in their work through improved
communication with colleagues, counterparts and local partners. Intercultural sensitivity
is a critical aspect of communication for development. Intercultural sensitivity creates the two-way communication systems that allow communities to speak out, and by
finding their voice, communities begin to realize ownership of the development agenda
enshrined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). |
| Appears in Collections: | Uppsatser / Communication for development
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Files in This Item:
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Description |
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| ComDev KT Final.pdf | | 430Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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