A dynamic model of intercultural competences and its implications in the field of international cooperation. Experience of Italian operators and cooperators abroad

Abstract

The study explores intercultural competences in the field of international cooperation. The substantive research question was whether Italian operators who have gained experience abroad, think they have developed intercultural competences and what competences they think they possess. This study involved a total of 20 representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from Lombardy (Italy), 16 operators working for NGOs in developing countries and 10 Italian international professionals from the UNDP and WHO agencies based in Geneva (Switzerland). In this empirical research project, a semi-structured interview was administered to NGO leaders, a questionnaire to NGO co-operators and UN international operators and a narrative interview to the latter. Qualitative methods of textual analysis were used. The author has created a dynamic model of intercultural competences consisting of fifteen recurrent competences. In this article, the author presents her model and how to assess intercultural competences. The empirical study involving professionals of Italian nationality. The topic of intercultural competences raises a substantial question about their deep, inner workings in the individual. Key issues for future developments in intercultural competences training are made explicit.