Intercultural education and its role in a global society

The present thesis emphasizes intercultural education and implementation of this phenomenon in today's global society. Interconnection of formerly isolated countries, movement of goods and capital brings movement of people towards a better standard of living. The model of a multicultural society, employing the principle of acknowledgment of diversity while preserving equality of all, is trying to provide answers to issues of coexistence of original population and newcomers. Migration is the topic of various partial concepts attempting at explaining the forces driving one's decision to migrate, the importance of social networks in the new territory, or subsequent interconnection and correlation of the original and the new environment. Adapting to the target environment brings many issues, some of which originate from the mental condition and predispositions of both migrants and the original population. The need for social contacts, adaptation and increased stress load on the part of immigrants are combined with fears of growing crime rates, less jobs and, most of all, prejudice and stereotypes of members of the majority group of the society. Tolerance, social compassion, respect for diversity and interest in communicating with all without differences needs to be fostered since childhood. One area concerns..