Cultural diversity and cities : the intercultural integration approach

Abstract

Research has convincingly demonstrated that diversity of cultural backgrounds and associated differences in skills, education and abilities can be a rich resource for companies and creative teams but also for the social and economic development of societies. The challenge is to conceive and implement public policies and institutions that make it possible to realise the positive potential of diversity. The Intercultural integration policy paradigm which takes up this challenge has been developed and tested by the Council of Europe in a range of cities across the continent. The article introduces this paradigm as well as a series of examples of how it translates into different policy areas.