As we become more connected worldwide, cross-cultural communication and understanding have become crucial, especially in a European context where unity is the keyword in the context of diversity. In this chapter, you will get to know competencies and skills linked with multiculturalism and intercultural communication that young people can underline in the employment process or develop if they are missing. It includes fluid communication, high empathy, the ability to have multiple perspectives on a subject, adaptability, and of course language skills.
The main skills that the EU focuses on connected to Cultural awareness and expression are:
- Awareness of local, national, European cultural heritage and their place in the world.
- Basic knowledge of contemporary culture.
- Understanding of cultural diversity.
Arts education, as well as cultural education (formal, non-formal, and informal), takes place in the two fields of reception and production. The combination of the terms ‘awareness and expression’ into one phrase is representative of the dominant didactic approach in European art education. Creativity depends on one’s awareness of the world and understanding a work of art in a deeper way is often based on one’s own practical experience. We have to listen to music if we want to sing in a choir and listening becomes richer if we know how to practice music. That is why a lot of European school curricula integrate both aspects (with specific emphasis on practice or perception, depending on cultural traditions in the different art forms).
Glossary in pills
“Cultural awareness” means knowing about the importance of culture and arts and developing the capacity to enjoy or be interested in them. It is related to perception (e.g. listening to music, watching a play, looking at art in a museum).
“Cultural expression” focuses on communicating feelings or ideas through artistic media and oneself. It refers to things that people say, write, sing, paint, dance, act out or do in order to show their feelings, opinions, and ideas and relates mainly to production/creation.
Play with us
Creative Europe - EU Culture
The EU created a European Commission’s framework programme called “Creative Europe” to support the culture and audiovisual sectors
