Nations and Identities: Intercultural Dialogue on Democracy

- Multi-Country

Locations Throughout the World

  Canada

• Quebec: 
Montreal

  India

Rural Areas

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca
• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)

Term: Fall 
Dates: Aug.-Dec. 2008

Description: Across the world, colonization and economic development have resulted in the displacement, subordination and discrimination of hundreds of millions of people, many of them indigenous and tribal. On an ever increasing scale, these cultures and communities are resisting and affirming their presence. While these diverse groups are facing some of the most difficult challenges ever, they are also demonstrating numerous ways of how to make our fragile planet culturally plural, socially just, economically feasible and ecologically sane. In the process, three of the most hallowed processes of over five centuries are being contestedthe modern nation-state, representative democracy and development.

The program will examine not only how nation-states are being challenged by both global forces and internal groups but also how diverse communities seeking recognition of their cultural and collective rights are highlighting critical issuestheir interdependence on the natural systems that they live in; their growing frustrations with the representative systems of government and their efforts to establish indigenous and radical democratic institutions; their quest to live culturally fulfilling lives; their creative and innovative ways of reclaiming their economies with proposals to reorganize the global economy, affirming the personal and the political, and rethinking development. In the process, a dramatic redefinition of culture, gender, community, the social and the political, and ecological interdependence and stewardship are emerging.

The program will immerse you in these cutting edge ways in which people all over the world are a source of inspiration and hope to people all over the world seeking a more just and ecologically secure world. They demonstrate through their analysis and action the need to define ways for mutual sharing and learning between cultures, to engage in dialogue across contentious lines and affirm diversity and the harmonious collaboration of all cultures.

We will be hosted by three organizations currently devoted to the notion of intercultural dialogue and engagement:
* Intercultural Institute of Montreal (Montreal, Canada)
* Intercultural Resource Center (Delhi, India)
* Centro de Encuentros y Diálogos Interculturales (Oaxaca, Mexico)

Highlights: Students will spend 4 weeks in Canada, 5 weeks in India, and 5 weeks in Mexico.

Students receive 16 credits upon completion of the program. The courses are as follows: Culture, Identity, and Place; Governance and Polity; Knowledge Systems and Ways of Knowing; and Political and Social Movements.

On the Nations and Identities program you can expect to stay in a variety of accommodations, including homestays, hotels/hostels, retreat centers, and community centers.

Cost in US$: $23,650

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 30

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Honors Program's Mission Statement: The International Honors Program offers a unique set of theme-based, multi-country study abroad programs. Each program is designed to give students the opportunity to explore significant social, political, and environmental issues using an innovative comparative approach. The comparative approach allows students to contrast and analyze thematic issues on a global scale. It exposes students to a wide range of communities and perspectives, requiring students to question assumptions, suspend judgments, while inquiring deeply around the thematic areas. Thematic areas include the environment, globalization, urban planning, public health, indigenous issues, anthropology, social justice, and human rights. On each of IHP's study abroad programs a relatively small group of students and faculty travel together to several different countries. The group will spend between four and eight weeks in each country while they examine issues related to the program theme. The exploration of the issues will involve direct contact and interaction with local experts, activists, educators, community members, public figures, and leaders of various government and community organizations. To ensure exposure to each country's peoples and cultures, IHP arranges for students to stay in local homes and communities whenever possible. Many students stay in contact with their hosts for years afterward. For many alumni, the IHP experience directly influences their graduate school or career choice. IHP prompts students to ask lifelong questions about their role in a global community.

Year Founded: 1958