Developing Intercultural and Democratic Competences in Teacher Education. The role of the International frameworks

Abstract

The EU is, in formal terms, a union of states founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and values. The value of the cultural diversity of European societies is thus questioned by radical voices that endeavour to disseminate discord and fragmentation between and within MS. Both policy makers and practitioners argue for a need to develop Intercultural and Democratically competent teachers who are capable of bridging the gap between the politics of belonging and the individual´s expression of belonging. The following paper analyses three international flagship competence frameworks for the development of Intercultural competence. It argues for a need in shifting the approach in teachers education ion for addressing Cultural Diversity choosing the Council of Europe RFCDC framework as the optimal choice for teacher education towards a new paradigm of intercultural and democratic competence.