I'm curious about the scope of your blog. Are you just looking at the way differences in culture are taught or the impact they have on the educational environment? What about the way people who are not in that environment learn or simply absorb these sorts of 'lessons'. Finally, will you be looking at the impact different perspectives of culture have beyond the borders of any one dominant culture? For instance, if Canadians or Americans believe everyone in Japan is hardworking, does that have an impact on individual, corporate or even national foreign policy?
Interesting questions Zed. I believe the main goal of this blog is exactly that: generate reaction, exchange of information, debate, dialogue "across borders". We won't have all the answers but this is a safe, open, environment to expose ideas, options, perspectives. In response to some of your questions: I'm looking more at the impact different cultures have on the educational environment and how people learn across the board. From a personal perspective, I think national foreing policy is strongly motivated by the economy and based on the "needs" that specific country has. The cultural perspective may be key for diplomacy and entrepreneurship but not neccesarily the first characteristic that is considered when establishing new relationships. I believe that most countries will be willing to "put up with differences and discrepancies" for the sake of business. i.e. Western relations with China, India, Venezuela and the Middle East.
I'm curious about the scope of your blog. Are you just looking at the way differences in culture are taught or the impact they have on the educational environment? What about the way people who are not in that environment learn or simply absorb these sorts of 'lessons'. Finally, will you be looking at the impact different perspectives of culture have beyond the borders of any one dominant culture? For instance, if Canadians or Americans believe everyone in Japan is hardworking, does that have an impact on individual, corporate or even national foreign policy?
ReplyDeleteInteresting questions Zed. I believe the main goal of this blog is exactly that: generate reaction, exchange of information, debate, dialogue "across borders". We won't have all the answers but this is a safe, open, environment to expose ideas, options, perspectives. In response to some of your questions: I'm looking more at the impact different cultures have on the educational environment and how people learn across the board. From a personal perspective, I think national foreing policy is strongly motivated by the economy and based on the "needs" that specific country has. The cultural perspective may be key for diplomacy and entrepreneurship but not neccesarily the first characteristic that is considered when establishing new relationships. I believe that most countries will be willing to "put up with differences and discrepancies" for the sake of business. i.e. Western relations with China, India, Venezuela and the Middle East.
ReplyDelete