The European Intercultural Workplace Project (EIWP)

Ms Sylvia Schroeder and Dr Aileen Pearson-Evans

Dr Aileen Pearson-Evans and Ms Sylvia Schroeder of the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies have been successful in attracting funding from the European Commission under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme II for their proposal for research on the European Intercultural Workplace (EIWP).

The major aim of this research is to develop intercultural sensitivity and facilitate interaction between all players in the intercultural workplace, so that the benefits of cultural diversity can be maximised and challenges successfully met. Outcomes of the project will include training materials for the intercultural workplace, in print, video, DVD and multilingual (all partner languages) format. On completion of the project in 2007, DCU in conjunction with 3 European partner universities, aims to introduce an accredited Diploma in the European Intercultural Workplace - in doing so it will play a part in furthering the overall aim of the EU to become the world's most qualified workforce by 2010.

The consolidated budget for the 3-year project is €1.058.724, of which the EC has undertaken to co-finance 75% up to a maximum of €794.043, starting from 1 October 2004. The project partnership, which will be coordinated by DCU, comprises 11 partner institutions in 10 European countries - this partnership spans northern and southern, eastern and western Europe, bringing together established EU members and new accession states, and including countries with a long experience of integrating non-nationals into the workforce and others for whom this is a new situation. In this way the consortium will facilitate a wide-ranging, experienced and fresh perspective on intercultural issues arising in the workplace, enabling newer states to learn from those with longer experience in this field.

Currently there is no comprehensive overview available of what is happening in workplaces in different sectors across Europe, although there is growing awareness of the urgency and need to investigate thoroughly the benefits and challenges of today's increasingly intercultural work environment. The EIWP aims to provide such an overview, through carrying out situational analyses and case studies in various sectors in each participating country, comparing results across sectors and countries, and producing national and trans-national reports on common intercultural issues and experiences. In addition, it will produce trans-national sector-specific information booklets, which will facilitate the cross-cultural communication and mobility of workers throughout the EU. In each partner country, key institutions/industries within the education, public and private sectors will be investigated. Three levels will be targeted within each institution: employers/managers, employees and clients/customers. At each level the experience of both host/majority culture members and immigrant/minority culture members as well as their interactions will be examined.

If you are interested in receiving further information on this project, please contact aileen.pearson-evans@dcu.ie or sylvia.schroeder@dcu.ie.