The purpose of the study is to (1)analyze the level of intercultural sensitivity ofUnited Nations Volunteer (UNV) volunteers in terms of interpersonal communication ina multicultural working environment; (2) explore how UNV volunteers interact andcommunicate in a multicultural environment at community level by developing acognitive 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 Communicationfor Development from the perspective of Intercultural Communication, particularly byusing 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 includingnational, 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 interculturalsituations, 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 ofrespondents are at the ethnorelative stages, which include the acceptance and adaptationstages of DMIS.In order to improve cultural sensitivity, intercultural trainings are provided toselected UNV volunteers at headquarters in Bonn. This study points to the need for theUNV 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 sensitivityof UNV volunteers will lead to optimal outcomes in their work through improvedcommunication with colleagues, counterparts and local partners. Intercultural sensitivityis a critical aspect of communication for development. Intercultural sensitivity creates the two-way communication systems that allow communities to speak out, and byfinding their voice, communities begin to realize ownership of the development agendaenshrined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:mau-23514 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Taketani, Keisuke |
| Publisher | Malmö högskola, Institutionen för konst, kultur och kommunikation (K3), Malmö högskola/Konst, kultur, kommunikation, K3 |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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