Proposal

CultureSphere – A Global Initiative for Cultural Literacy in Education

Story

When going through primary and secondary education we are exposed to the wonders of geography, history and multiculturalism. We learn about societies around the world in textbooks and movies and form a mental image about what people around the world were like. When we grow up however, we have the chance to travel, and we find that often our cultural views were skewed. We realize practices of other cultures had been taught to us from a narrow-minded perspective, often coming from teachers who they themselves hadn’t been exposed to much outside of the resources available.

The creators at CultureSphere realize that in the age of online learning there is a dire need for an improvement in teaching cultural literacy. Platforms like Duolingo and Google Arts and Culture have already displayed the impact that cultural education can have but we now believe that these benefits are ready to enter a field: the classroom.

Problem

The pervasive issue of cultural misunderstandings and insufficient cultural literacy in educational systems across the globe stands as a significant barrier to fostering inclusive, empathetic, and globally minded societies. In 2021, around 45% of all public elementary and high school students in the U.S. were white (NCES, 2023b), and 80% of teachers within these education sectors were also white (NCES, 2023a); the majority of students come from a different ethnic background than most teachers do. The main issue, however, lies in the qualification of teachers, who might not be well trained for proper education on cultural awareness, which is important aspect to account for nowadays considering the increase in student diversity in schools. This problem is not localized but global in nature, impacting schools on students and educators worldwide. In a study conducted in Australia in 2021 for example, when asked about their thoughts on China, 16% of participants expressed negative thoughts, 29% mentioned aspects relating to their government and 23% mentioned seeing them as a threat (Huang et al., 2022). No participants seem to have mentioned cultural aspects present in China (Huang et al., 2022), and instead generalize politics to the entire country, which demonstrates the prevailing lack of proper multicultural education globally.

In the context of an increasingly interconnected world, where executives say that the ability to understand cultural nuances is a significant business advantage (Meyer, 2015), the lack of cultural literacy is a glaring gap in our education systems. Furthermore, UNESCO highlights that education systems often fail to incorporate comprehensive cultural literacy, contributing to social divisions and conflicts.  Cultural ignorance can perpetuate inequalities, marginalize minority groups, and impede opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and understanding. The urgency of addressing this issue is paramount, as the increasingly interconnected nature of the world demands that individuals possess the skills and knowledge to navigate diverse cultural landscapes effectively. Action is needed now to equip current and future generations with the cultural literacy skills necessary for building inclusive, harmonious societies.

Solution

To address this problem, the proposed solution is CultureSphere, an innovative, technology-driven cultural literacy platform tailored for educational systems. CultureSphere seeks to boost cultural literacy by incorporating gamification through interactive learning modules that promote active engagement. Field research was conducted to validate the importance and effectiveness of the idea, which allowed the team to better understand the potential demand for our service and determine our opportunities to improve it. Our research included a series of processes such as individual and group interviews and analyses of existing platforms.

–              The platform leverages crowdsourcing, enabling schools globally to collaborate. It pairs students from diverse educational institutions, allowing them to interact through video calls.

–              To ensure seamless communication across language barriers, AI-powered speech translators will be available, facilitating an enriching exchange of cultural knowledge and understanding.

–              By providing a comprehensive hub for exploring the customs, traditions, and social norms of diverse cultures, the platform seeks to promote understanding, empathy, and appreciation for cultural diversity.

–              Through its interactive and collaborative approach, CultureSphere empowers students to become global citizens who are equipped to navigate and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

CultureSphere directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

–              Quality Education: In its dedication to SDG 4, CultureSphere acts as a catalyst for accessible education on global cultures, thereby fostering inclusive learning environments. By offering comprehensive resources and tools, it empowers educators and learners alike to engage with diverse cultural perspectives, enriching their educational experiences.

–              Reduced Inequalities: CultureSphere’s commitment to SDG 10 extends to its core mission of promoting understanding and appreciation among diverse cultural groups. By facilitating meaningful interactions and exchanges, it endeavors to bridge divides and mitigate social inequalities, fostering a more equitable and harmonious society.

–              Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: By enhancing cultural literacy and mutual respect, CultureSphere contributes to SDG 16, laying the groundwork for peaceful societies and the development of accountable and inclusive institutions.

–              Partnerships for the Goals: The collaborative ethos of CultureSphere exemplifies SDG 17, embodying the spirit of cooperation across educational, cultural, and technological domains.

–              By fostering strategic alliances and leveraging collective expertise, CultureSphere maximizes its impact and effectiveness in advancing these ambitious global objectives, forging a path towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

In essence, CultureSphere is not just a platform but a global initiative to bridge cultural gaps, enhance global understanding, and create a foundation for a more inclusive and peaceful world, in line with the United Nations’ vision for a sustainable future.

References

Huang, C., Clancy, L., Gubbala, S. (September 26, 2022). When asked about China, Australians tend to think of its government, not its people. PewResearch. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/09/26/when-asked-about-china-australians-tend-to-think-of-its-government-not-its-people/

Mayer, E. (2019, November 27). When culture doesn’t translate. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2015/10/when-culture-doesnt-translate

NCES. (2023, May). Characteristics of public school teachers. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/clr/public-school-teachers

NCES. (2023, May). Racial/ethnic enrollment in public schools. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cge/racial-ethnic-enrollment

UNESCO. (2013). Unesdoc.unesco.org. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000223826

United Nations. (2015). The 17 goals | sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals