Mitigating Cultural Bias in Diplomacy Education: Toward Sustainable Intercultural Learning

Abstract

      It has always been a challenge to instruct students with various cultural and national background at universities; it is especially true when it comes to the complex issues of diplomacy. The aim of the paper is to highlight the challenges experts have to face when teaching the subject of diplomacy in higher education institutions. Both professors and students must be aware of the potential cultural bias when the focus is laid on international issues. Nevertheless, there is a demand for being well informed about the current diplomatic activities, which require open-mindedness and an objective approach, which are very hard to reach. The study reveals the competences necessary both for professors and students to avoid or minimize a biased perception of reality and besides, which values are definitely obvious and emphasized when discussing crucial and sensitive topics. The method of analysis is based on secondary literature results and semi-structured interviews with professors and international students at Széchenyi University in Hungary. The study attempts to find out the solutions to minimize bias and strengthen values in the academic discipline of diplomacy.

Keywords: diplomacy, cultural bias, multicultural groups, universities, semi-structured interviews