Global cultural understanding is simply the acceptance of the differences in values, and ideas due to cultural background and seeking to accommodate these differences for improved global relations.
Technology has proven to be an ally for promoting global cultural understanding. It does this in various ways.
Social media as a technology tool has simplified meeting people from different cultures, interacting with them over chats, pictures, and videos, building a meaningful connection, and breaking stereotypes.
The internet provides access to information and other resources on these global cultures, providing tools that can be used to actively learn even other global languages, which helps improve communication between people from different cultural backgrounds.
Through technology, people from different cultural backgrounds can come together as an online community, where they share experiences and even cultural exchanges.
Virtual reality is set to even make this a more immersive experience. It’s important to note that technology does all these if used appropriately, and when that is done it can help break down barriers between different cultural groups through the following ways;
Reduce misconceptions
A misconception is one of the biggest barriers to global cultural understanding. There are lots of misconceptions about practices from other cultures because it is not generally understood.
Access to accurate information about different cultures as aided by technology helps to clear these misconceptions, promote empathy, and also reduce stereotypes.
Encourages Intercultural conversations
Technology helps facilitate online communities where people from different cultural backgrounds can have healthy conversations, making it easier for people to understand the differences is something to be celebrated
not avoided.
Promotes Tolerance
Having a clear understanding of other cultures, and attending or watching live streams or recorded videos of cultural events and performances will inform and make one open and more tolerant, seeing as values differ.
Virtual cultural immersion
Technology can break down barriers between different cultural groups through virtual cultural immersion experiences, such as virtual tours of different countries, museums, and historical sites which can help to promote understanding and appreciation of these different cultures.
Cultural awareness training
Technology facilitates cultural awareness training, which helps break down barriers ultimately as cross-cultural awareness ensures that the society knows the reason behind actions that some people take that in other cultures
might be an abomination.
Some technologies that are already used in promoting global cultural understanding include Google Expeditions and Duolingo.
Google Expeditions is designed as a virtual reality platform that allows individuals to take virtual field trips to various locations around the world.
One could tour historical sites, cultural landmarks, and any place they want to visit.
Duolingo, on the other hand, is an app for learning different languages, using interactive and engaging methods.
This facilitates interaction between people from different cultures. While technology can go a long way in helping us break down the barriers of cultural differences between groups, there is only so much it can do.
We have a responsibility to always be nice, whenever a perceived cultural difference occurs.
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