Intercultural Research Group: Objectives and Output

The objectives of the research project are:

1. To understand the ideas associated with "Responsibility" in the 11 languages / cultural contexts of the participants in the project

2. To identify consequences of these understandings for social practices in those cultural contexts

3. To find common elements unfolded in these understandings

4. To contribute to an intercultural dialogue aiming on the one hand at understanding differences and on the other establishing a common kernel to the diversity of cultural interpretations and practices. The latter will help to define a common ethical ground for an International Charter of Human Responsibilities.

The output of this intercultural research project is expected to be a unique book which will contain:

a. an introduction explaining the background of the project, its relevance and the methodology (written by the coordinator)

b. 11 chapters written by the participants on the notion of Responsibility in the context of their own language/culture

c. a concluding cross-analysis addressing differences and commonalities emerging from the 11 preceding chapters (written by the coordinator).

This effort of making explicit cultural specificities and commonalities will hopefully provide concrete material for a necessary intercultural dialogue on how people in various parts of the world perceive their human responsibilities and how they assume and exercise them.