The need for cultural education and an appreciation of diversity are not only challenges of the 20^th century. Competition for resources (land, water, energy, etc) already increases pressure between societies and raises the tensions of real and perceived scarcity to bloody conflict. Conflict all too often justifies the silencing of alternative thought, belief and practice, breeding a dangerous monoculture where ideology can trump reality and incompetence, or worse, atrocity can result.  Despite our 21^st century globalised information, technology and markets, we may thus find ourselves revisiting lessons hard won by generations now passed.

This is not only a challenge in our global problematique, it is one striking at the very heart of the aspiring leader. Cultural education is as much about the discovery of one’s own identity as it is an examination of “the other”. This realisation is critical to developing the self-mastery that lies at the core of the leadership journey. Furthermore, an inclusive mentality that seeks to learn from a diversity of different perspectives is foundational to all growth. One must be willing to challenge their assumptions with the arguments of others if they are going to cultivate a worldview ready to tackle the complex issues that face our common humanity.

Originally submitted for AIESEC International’s 2010 Annual Report as “An  Introduction to Diversity and Cultural Education”.