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Championing Cultural Diversity in Higher Education: Building Tolerance and Safe Spaces for Learning

Championing Cultural Diversity in Higher Education: Building Tolerance and Safe Spaces for Learning

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme hosted by Varna University of Management, Bulgaria

 

Objectives of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)

The BIP is hosted by Varna University of Management, Bulgaria (VUM) and is targeted at academic and non-academic staff members at universities across Europe who are interested to build their intercultural competence and to become change agents of inclusion. The BIP is designed to enable participants to become self-aware of one’s actions and decisions working in multicultural working and learning environments. More importantly, participants will get to ideate programmes and policies that can cultivate a tolerant space for people with differing origins and beliefs.

Learning outcomes of the BIP

Upon completion of the module BIP participants will be able to:

    • Evaluate and articulate the contribution of intercultural learning in the work place and other related areas.
    • Analyse and reflect on how cultures differ; identify cultural values, styles of communication and sociocultural behaviour inherent to the target cultures that could clash with their own culture.
    • Understand, promote and practice empathy as a core basis of inclusion.
    • Acknowledge and analyse best practices and case studies of institutions who have reached an ideal set-up for inclusion.
    • Provide specific programmes and feasible initiatives that one can implement in their own sphere of influence/ institutions.

Indicative content

    • Introduction to the concept of culture. Cultural dimensions
    • Intercultural communication: culture as a frame for communication
    • Dealing with cultural differences in multicultural learning environments
    • The concept of empathy and self-awareness as the foundation of a tolerant lens.
    • Defining cultural safety and its supporting principles.
    • Designing safe spaces to mitigate risks and embrace discomfort.

Tentative timeframe

Physical component: 30 June 2025 – 4 July 2025
Virtual component: 6 contact hours delivered in the period of 10 – 18 July 2025

BIP participants’ profile

Staff members to take part in the BIP:

    • are employees of higher education institutions from EU Member States and third
      countries associated to the Programme
    • have applied for participation in the BIP and have been granted an approval by their
      home institution to receive a grant for Erasmus+ staff mobility for training
    • have English language proficiency corresponding to at least level B1.

Application process

    • BIP participants must apply at their home institutions for an Erasmus+ KA131 BIP related grant for staff mobility for training (please contact the International Relations Office of your home institutions)
    • The home institution nominates its candidate(s) – home institutions are encouraged to have an internal call
    • The candidates can show interest in the BIP and are encouraged to establish contact with VUM Mobility Team (erasmus@vum.bg) for any questions, support or invitation letters, necessary for applying for the grant at the home institution
    • Deadline for nominations of BIP participants by their home institutions to VUM: 31 March 2025
    • Application Form duly filled out by the participating staff member and signed by them as well as by the sending institution is to be sent to erasmus@vum.bg by 31 March 2025 at the latest.