Culture exchanges and its importance

Communicating with people from different cultures can be one of the most rewarding experiences of travelling. When you exchange words and ideas with a native speaker of a language, you get a unique glimpse into their culture and way of life. It also gives you a chance to improve your language skills and learn about the fascinating history and traditions of your new language.For many people, the idea of culture exchange conjures up images of exotic travel and exciting adventures. But culture exchange importance can be seen as its the powerful tool for improving your professional career and gaining valuable work experience. In today’s global economy, it’s essential for young professionals to learn how to pivot across cultures. Culture exchange programs help you do just that.

Cultural exchange program

The idea of starting the cultural exchange programs was first after the second World War, when the various people of multiple countries wanted to unite against the violence and hate mongers among different nations. The concept of cultural exchange program is an important process which involves a two way transfer of an individual’s ideas or culture  to a different nation from their own country to promote the values and culture of their own country and imbibe the ideas of the country which they are visiting. It is a way of improving relations among the different nations, by this program they can respect and understand the value of other countries in the world, which also increases the probability that the desired connections of trade and commerce, as well as political connections, will be better.

History 

Second world war ignited a want in the minds of people of multiple nations, to encourage diplomacy and political connections through exchange of ideas by travelling. In the initial step religion and trade were the main propagators of this idea, as many people wanted to increase the values and to encourage trade relations between multiple nations. Exploitation and violence are two characteristic features which have been a part of many trading ventures. However, populations from multiple countries found different methods to improve connections with different people from other parts of the world and to know their rituals. 

World Sanskrit Award

The World Sanskrit Award was first conferred in Thailand by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her great contribution and promotion of the language. The World Sanskrit Award  was given at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi by the Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. The award is instituted by the ICCR which stands for Indian Council for Cultural Relations and is presented to renowned Sanskrit scholars to promote their outstanding contribution for the research in the field of Sanskrit language and literature. Sirindhorn is an efficient teacher  and scholar of the languages Sanskrit and Pali.

Gisela Bonn award

This award is an international honour that honours individuals who have devoted their careers to enhancing understanding and cooperation between people and nations through the exchange of culture and ideas. The Gisela Bonn Award was started to memorialise the life and legacy of Gisela Bonn, an international educator and advocate for cultural exchange. It takes a very important and influential role to highlight the key role that cultural exchange and understanding play in today’s complex world and to inspire others to take on a part in creating a more connected, understanding and a better world.

Some Indian Cultural exchange programmes 

Indian Council for Cultural Relations: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an Indian government agency that aims to promote the country’s culture and art abroad. The organisation was founded in 1952 and has since been headquartered in New Delhi. The ICCR first started as a small body focused on promoting Indian cinema overseas. Over the years, it has expanded its mandate to include exchanges in the fields of education, the arts, and other forms of culture.

Intercultural Dialogue & Exchange: Intercultural dialogue and exchange is the process of learning about and from other cultures. It differs from multiculturalism, which means living in a society that is made up of many cultures, and instead focuses on creating opportunities for people to learn about and from other cultures. Intercultural dialogue can be classroom-based, where people learn about a foreign culture through the use of books and discussions, or it can be experiential, where people have the opportunity to learn about other cultures through firsthand experience such as travel or volunteering. Intercultural dialogue and exchange is often used as a tool for building understanding and reducing prejudice between cultures.

Conclusion

The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) is a scheme that offers Indian students and professionals working in the country an opportunity to travel abroad. It aims to provide an immersive experience that will enrich their knowledge of the world and strengthen their skills and career prospects. The programme is funded by the Ministry of External Affairs and administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). It is open to Indian nationals based in any country, who have been granted work/tour visas by the Indian embassy or consulate in that country.