Intercultural Mediation for Managers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Intercultural Mediation for Managers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Migrants’ issues; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

“Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity. Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.” (Robert Alan Aurthur)

This statement represents what we have done in het Erasmus+ project, Intercultural Mediation for managers.

Intercultural mediation is an essential skill for each employer managing an international and intercultural workforce. The large influx of migrants in Europe needs to be effectively integrated and one aspect of integration is employment. Research has shown that employees in a positive work environment are more effective in their work and perform better (Jeffrey Fermin, www.business.com). Therefore, successful mediation within an intercultural workforce context could improve the company’s productivity and thus their bottom line.

InterMED aimed to train managers in intercultural mediation across Belgium, UK, Poland, Italy and Portugal to integrate migrants successfully in the workplace by transferring overall mediation skills to an intercultural context. Through the training, managers were also able to assist their employees in respecting and understanding different cultural demeanors in order to keep a calm and productive atmosphere at work. They were also be able to better understand strategies to recruit, retain and help migrants progress in their organization.

Participants:
– SME’s who are managing an intercultural workforce
– SME’s who are about to recruit migrants and want to successfully integrate them in the workplace
– SME’s who are not managing an intercultural workforce and need more information about the business case of diversity in the workplace

Main project results developed during the project lifetime are:
– Mapping skills for Diversity management (IO1): Framework on diversity
– Intercultural Mediation for Managers Facilitators Guide (IO2): The facilitators guide is divided into 4 sections: (1) Train the trainer skills; (2) Training day 1: Beyond the differences.; (2) Training day 2: From differences to synergy; (3) Training day 3: Non violent communication skills
– Diversity Circles™ Facilitators Guide (IO3): Diversity Circles™ are a safe place for participants to share, discuss and resolve challenges they face as a manager working in an intercultural environment. The guide provides insights and exercises, … to support facilitators in managing the Circles™.
– National Pilots & the Mediation Event (IO5): Each partner organization has hosted training sessions and diversity circles to test the material we have developed in IO2 and IO3. We have also organized an online training event with the aim of providing partners with insights and skills to work together in the international context of Erasmus+.
– Business Case for Diversity Management (IO6): The guide is useable for any stakeholder with interest in creating a diverse workforce and develop the ability to mediate within the workspace in order to maintain a pleasant atmosphere and encourage integration
– E-learning Platform for Diversity Management (IO7): The online platform consists of all material from the training, as well as extra learning materials and articles.

Impact:
– As a direct impact to the participants who participated in the pilot sessions, managers are able to better integrate a migrant in their existing group of employees and manage any conflicts related to cultural differences.
– We as partners gained new insights and skills in Intercultural Mediation and the impact this has on our international cooperation’s
– We believe that due to the online platform and the business case for diversity management, that stakeholders have a better understanding of cultural differences.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 282859 Eur

Project Coordinator

Obelisk NV & Country: BE

Project Partners

• Globalnet sp. z o.o.
• INOVA CONSULTANCY LTD
• CONSORZIO MATERAHUB INDUSTRIE CULTURALI E CREATIVE
• CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE CALCADO DE PORTUGAL