Intercultural Competence as a Stratagem of Democratic Development of Multi- Ethnic Urban Community

Abstract

Cultural heterogeneity is the defining feature of modern civilization. Under these circumstances, the essentialismhas its own background effect including racism, particularism, sexism, nationalism, colonialism and xenophobia for people fromcultures other than our own, identifying them as alien or enemy. Theoretical and praxeological aspects of intercultural competence insocial institutions, considered in the thesis, allow to specify main formation and development principles for new standards of socialdemocracy, rationality and identity in modern society. Intercultural competence, in the context of the selected topic, is consideredprimarily as a set of analytical and strategic abilities. One of the most important functions of this complex is the individual interpretativedevelopment range in the process of interpersonal interaction with representatives of other cultures. This thesis considersinterdisciplinary approaches are available today to form intercultural competence. Approach to intercultural competence is based onthe understanding of appropriate behavior models, specific knowledge and skills according to particular social groups area. Acquiredknowledge is the basis for functioning in social and cultural system of the city, organizations or professional groups to have aneffective work in cross-cultural situations. It’s equally important to understand the need of full access for all persons to use all socioculturalresources. It’s found that intercultural competence is a dynamic, long process throughout life, which requires the efficiency,desire to develop and learn from all people who involved in this process. However, many European and Ukrainian cities hitherto, cannot take full advantage of this diversity. Model of intercultural city is a good example of ethno-cultural diversity as the norm andopportunity for all citizens to show their creative expression. Our thesis considers main development options for intercultural strategieswith positive management, benefits of ethnic and cultural diversity and their implementation through the example of Council of EuropeProgramme "Intercultural Cities" in Melitopol. The thesis analyzes different approaches on how to involve civils and heads ofadministrative structures to use the proposed programme of analytical and practical tools to help local actors in their progressestimation at different stages of the process. The analysis helps to conclude that intercultural competence (and its acquirement)becomes an essential condition for relevant European principles of public selector with its identification in modern Europeancommunities and it turns to Effective cultural tool.

Keywords: civil society, multi - ethnic community, intercultural competence, urban commune, cultural politics.