Interculturalism in higher education in Ireland: An analysis from a strategy, policy and practice perspective

Education is instrumental in preparing students to participate in increasingly diverse Irish, European and global societies, with higher education having a part to play in the process. Issues around migration and cultural diversity have gained less attention in the higher education sector in Ireland than at primary and post primary level with a few notable exceptions. Higher education is regarded as having a “critical role” to play in terms of “enriching Ireland’s cultural life, nurturing our understanding of our own national identity and that of other cultures and belief systems” [1]. Influenced by developments at European Union level, the approach adopted to cultural diversity in Ireland is one of interculturalism. This paper aims in the first instance to analyse the application of interculturalism in the Irish higher education sector from a strategy and policy perspective. It briefly traces the promotion of interculturalism as a policy response to cultural diversity at a European level, before highlighting a number of the concept’s salient characteristics. The second part of the paper analyses the implementation of interculturalism in the Irish context. While critically reflecting on the higher education setting as a site where interculturalism can be put into practice, the focus is placed specifically on the question of language and the need to take it into consideration.