This two-part virtual workshop series was held in March 2024, during which participating students from Stellenbosch University, University West, and the University of Toronto explored interculturality through dialogue and design thinking. 

Prior to the first workshop, all participants were given free access to an internationally recognized certification process. The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assesses intercultural competence – the capability to shift cultural perspective and appropriately adapt behavior to cultural difference and commonalities. All participants were required to complete the assessment before the start of workshop 1, where we explored and unpacked the results together with an IDI qualified administrator. Workshop 1 additionally offered a cultural awareness seminar, where participants were invited to speak with one another about challenges and opportunities related to cultural difference.

Between workshops 1 and 2, participants were asked to undertake a personal reflective exercise. Workshop 2 was a Design Jam, where we used design thinking methods and tools to further unpack the learnings of workshop 1. 

Participants left this series having learned the basics of design thinking and how these frameworks can be applied in their own lives, studies, or work environments. Students spent lots of time in conversation with other students from around the world, and came away with an expanded sense of cultural perspective.

If you would like to learn more about our work, partner with us in our future projects, or collaborate with us to develop one of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact us!