News

33rd International Summer School Berlin

Give and Take in Intercultural Relations

August 10th – 19th 2004

Website: www.iss-berlin.org

Leaflet as download

About the International Summer School

Established for over 30 years, the International Summer School is a group dynamics seminar that takes place at the European Academy in Berlin.

One person gives, the other takes – this is a basic pattern of relations in various cultures. A variety of things can be exchanged in this way, for instance recognition, money, information, love. In order to give continuity to a relation, the side that takes has to give something back. It is only now that the exchange of give and take turns into a stable social relation for those participating in it. To achieve this, both parties must be able to judge the meaning and value of the gift, not only for oneself but also for the partner in exchange. Is that which I consider valuable also of value for the other? Will he be able to return my gift? Am I prepared to accept what is given back to me, even when my expectations were different?

The handling of these uncertainties becomes the more of a challenge, the more the underlying fundamentals vary, which govern this exchange. In the groups and organisations of our professional life, the variety in cultural heritage, language, religious beliefs and professional conduct is constantly increasing – within the groups themselves as well as in their environment, among their clients and customers. The International Summer School provides the opportunity to experience this variety and understand the different patterns of exchange and the related problems in the context of an intercultural group. The perspectives and strategies of group dynamics will further this and help to improve personal and professional competencies. In addition the training offers a protected space to examine one’s own position, develop new goals and put new and different patterns of behaviour to a test.

Venue

Europäische Akademie Berlin
Bismarckallee 46-48
D-14193 Berlin
Tel. +49(0)30/8959510
Fax +49(0)30/89595195

e-mail: ir@iss-berlin.org

For conceptual information

Dr. Oliver König
Weyertal 13
D-50937 Köln
Tel./Fax +49(0)221/426684
email: ok@iss-berlin.org