Intercultural Mediation In Europe

International exchange in European cultural life in the 19th and 20th centuries. From the early nineteenth century till the middle of the twentieth century, cultures in Europe were primarily national. They were organized and conceived of as attributes of the nation states. Nonetheless, these national cultures crossed borders with an unprecedented intensity even before globalization transformed the very concept of culture. During that long period, European cultures have imported and exported products, techniques, values, and ideas, relying on invisible but efficient international networks. The central agents of these networks are considered mediators: translators, publishers, critics, artists, art dealers and collectors, composers. These agents were not only the true architects of intercultural transfer, they also largely contributed to the shaping of a common canon and of aesthetic values that became part of the history of national cultures. 'Cultural Mediation in Europe, 1800-1950' analyses the strategic transfer roles of cultural mediators active in large parts of Western Europe in domains as varied as literature, music, painting, or art design.

This collection of essays highlights theories and several of the excellent practices that are currently taking place in many European countries which integrate intercultural, multicultural and transcultural approaches as part of its education, health and mental health services. The book details numerous projects that are currently engaging in cutting-edge research related to interventions with culturally diverse clients. It serves to share information, theories and knowledge so that insights gleaned from one country can be shared across all European states, as well as countries across the globe. The volume addresses the question of ethnic, cultural, religious, gender and power diversity, its points of tensions and psychopathology, and its place of resilience and wellbeing.

This volume makes an important intercultural and interdisciplinary contribution to intercultural communications in Europe. The publication links linguistic aspects with psychological, social, economic, political, and cultural issues and creates a wide perspective encompassing the European heterogeneity of languages, cultures, traditions, and developments.

International exchange in European cultural life in the 19th and 20th centuries From the early nineteenth century till the middle of the twentieth century, cultures in Europe were primarily national. They were organized and conceived of as attributes of the nation states. Nonetheless, these national cultures crossed borders with an unprecedented intensity even before globalization transformed the very concept of culture. During that long period, European cultures have imported and exported products, techniques, values, and ideas, relying on invisible but efficient international networks. The central agents of these networks are considered mediators: translators, publishers, critics, artists, art dealers and collectors, composers. These agents were not only the true architects of intercultural transfer, they also largely contributed to the shaping of a common canon and of aesthetic values that became part of the history of national cultures. Cultural Mediation in Europe, 1800-1950 analyses the strategic transfer roles of cultural mediators active in large parts of Western Europe in domains as varied as literature, music, visual arts, and design. Contributors Amélie Auzoux (Université Paris IV-Sorbonne), Christophe Charle (Université Paris I-Panthéon-Sorbonne), Kate Kangaslahti (KU Leuven), Vesa Kurkela (University of the Arts, Helsinki), Anne O’Connor (University of Galway), Saijaleena Rantanen (University of the Arts, Helsinki), Ágnes Anna Sebestyén (Hungarian Museum of Architecture, Budapest), Inmaculada Serón Ordóñez (University of Málaga), Renske Suijver (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam), Tom Toremans (KU Leuven), Dirk Weissmann (Université Toulouse Jean-Jaurès)

The general aim of ROMED1 is to improve the quality and effectiveness of the work of school, health, employment and community mediators, with a view to supporting better communication and co-operation between Roma and public institutions (school, health-care providers, employment offices, local authorities, etc.). The ROMED1 trainer’s handbook was developed over five years of implementation of the ROMED1 programme, and is generally intended for trainers who followed a course of training for trainers in the framework of the programme. However, it can also be used by organisations − governmental or non-governmental − as a basis for new or adapted curricula for those working in a mediation context with or within Roma communities. It contains the key information trainers need to give a training course based on the ROMED1 methodology and on the human rights-based approach. The content of the materials should be adapted to the specific context of each country and to the profile of the mediators.

Intercultural mediators are employed to resolve linguistic and cultural barriers in a variety of health-care contexts. This report examines the main roles performed by intercultural mediators in health care across the WHO European Region and analyses evidence on their effectiveness in improving accessibility and quality of care for refugees and migrants, and the factors that enable them to have a positive impact. The beneficial impact of intercultural mediators is hindered by a lack of professionalization, insufficient training and the non-systematic and inconsistent implementation of intercultural mediation programmes. Developing training programmes and accreditation systems, further research into the effectiveness of intercultural mediators in health care, and the development of strategies that guarantee access to intercultural mediators in health care wherever and whenever needed will enormously improve the quality of health care for refugees and migrants.