At the 2022 SIETAR Europa Congress, we were invited to Re-think Interculturalism, to challenge what we have known and learned from a Western Educated Industrial Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) perspective. This year’s Virtual Institute invites us to move deeper into those conversations to discuss how intercultural educators, trainers and researchers can move towards a more globally inclusive perspective.

The Virtual Institute will explore this theme through the lens of our core pillars: education, training and research.

Our intercultural work continues to intersect with justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work so can we or should we continue to only rely on WEIRD research tools and resources? Postcolonialism invites us to question a new more inclusive and less WEIRD approach to our work.

Throughout the Virtual Institute, participants will explore new non WEIRD perspectives and challenge the future and our approach to interculturalism with greater global inclusion.

The Virtual Institute offers three Master Class Tracks; and each track has three Sessions. The Master Class Tracks are:

1. Research (MC1): For professionals in or interested in research and research practices
2. Education (MC2): For professionals in or interested in intercultural education at all levels of learning
3. Training (MC3): For professionals in or interested in intercultural training in all sectors

Each Master Class Track includes three Sessions, each with a different focus area. They are:

• Session 1 – Research: In this session, guest experts will share their research and its implications based upon the track.
• Session 2 – Practice: In this session, guest experts will share best practices with the track.
• Session 3 – Future Implications: In this session, this Master Class cohort will work with a facilitator to discuss and consider the future implications of their learning within the track.

For most SIETARians, networking and the opportunity to meet new and old friends, have a 1:1 conversation with interesting and potential collaborators – at a professional or personal level – ranks high as a motivator for attending our in-person congresses. We have partnered with the SIETAR Europa Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and a special cooperation partner, the #virtualspacehero who will host our Opening and Closing networking events for you! They will take place right after the Virtual Institute kick-off and keynote and after the Virtual Institute closure.

During the Virtual Institute, the Africa and Gamification SIGs will host events that feature the work, and engage participants in a variety of games, activities, and dialogues. The SIG networking events will be OPEN TO ALL SIG MEMBERS.