Programme sessions
Themes
Six thematic sessions, one multidisciplinary framework. Every abstract nominates the one it belongs to.
Session 1
Intercultural Dialogue, Cultural Diplomacy, Global Cooperation and Governance
Intercultural dialogue has become one of the central conditions for social stability, institutional trust and peaceful coexistence in plural societies. Contemporary communities are shaped by multiple identities, languages, religions, histories and value systems. When such differences are not recognised and managed constructively, they may contribute to misunderstanding, polarisation, exclusion and conflict. When approached through dialogue, however, cultural diversity can become a basis for cooperation, innovation and mutual learning.
This session examines intercultural dialogue as both a theoretical concept and a practical instrument of governance. It is concerned with the ways in which societies, institutions and international actors build trust across difference, create inclusive public spaces, and develop mechanisms for cooperation in contexts marked by geopolitical uncertainty, migration, disinformation and social fragmentation. Cultural diplomacy is especially important in this regard, as it connects culture with international relations, public diplomacy, soft power and the renewal of cooperation beyond political and economic tensions.
Contributions that connect conceptual analysis with policy practice, local case studies, international cooperation models or institutional experiences are particularly welcome.
Session 2
Sustainable Development, Climate Resilience, Biodiversity and Tourism
Sustainable development is no longer only an environmental or economic question; it is also a cultural and social one. Communities experience climate change, biodiversity loss, resource pressure and tourism development through their own cultural practices, local knowledge, livelihoods, values and historical relationships with place. Sustainability therefore requires approaches that are scientifically grounded, socially inclusive and culturally sensitive.
Climate resilience refers not only to the technical capacity to respond to environmental change, but also to the ability of communities, institutions and local economies to adapt while preserving social cohesion, cultural identity and natural resources. Biodiversity is equally important, as ecosystems are closely linked to traditional knowledge, rural development, cultural landscapes, food systems, tourism potential and the quality of life of local communities.
Tourism has a specific position in this session. It can generate employment, strengthen local economies and support the visibility of cultural and natural heritage. Yet poorly managed tourism may contribute to environmental pressure, cultural commodification and the degradation of destinations. The session welcomes research on sustainable, responsible, cultural, rural, ecological and community-based tourism, especially where tourism is examined in relation to resilience, biodiversity and local development.
Session 3
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Innovation and Future Skills
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping the ways in which people communicate, learn, work, create, govern and understand cultural difference. These technologies offer significant opportunities for innovation, education, accessibility, public services, cultural preservation and organisational efficiency. At the same time, they raise serious questions concerning ethics, inequality, bias, misinformation, privacy, labour-market disruption, cultural representation and human agency.
This session examines AI and digital transformation as both technological and cultural phenomena. AI is not only a technical system; it is embedded in language, values, institutions, data practices and social expectations. Algorithms influence the visibility of cultural content, the circulation of information, the organisation of work and the development of skills. Digital platforms increasingly mediate intercultural communication, public debate, education, tourism, heritage interpretation and creative production.
Digital transformation does not affect all societies equally: countries, organisations and communities differ in infrastructure, skills, regulation, language resources and access to technology. The session welcomes contributions that critically examine digital transformation while also identifying responsible and applicable solutions.
Session 4
Economics, Management, Leadership and Organisational Transformation
Economic and organisational systems are increasingly exposed to uncertainty, technological change, demographic shifts, geopolitical fragmentation and changing expectations regarding sustainability, inclusion and social responsibility. In such conditions, management and leadership cannot be reduced to operational efficiency alone. They must also address values, culture, trust, adaptability, innovation and the capacity of organisations to function across different institutional and cultural contexts.
The cultural dimension is central: organisations are not culturally neutral systems. They are shaped by norms, leadership styles, communication patterns, institutional traditions and social expectations. Cross-cultural management, intercultural leadership and organisational transformation are therefore essential topics for a conference dedicated to global perspectives. Economic development also depends on cultural and creative resources, innovation capacity, entrepreneurship and institutional trust.
Contributions may include empirical studies, conceptual papers, comparative analyses, case studies, methodological contributions and practice-oriented frameworks that translate conceptual models into organisational strategies, leadership practices, business models and institutional development.
Session 5
Education, Youth, Lifelong Learning and Intercultural Competences
Education has a decisive role in preparing individuals and societies for life in culturally diverse, technologically dynamic and globally interconnected environments. Knowledge alone is no longer sufficient: contemporary education must also develop critical thinking, ethical judgement, digital literacy, communication skills, intercultural sensitivity, adaptability and the capacity for lifelong learning.
Intercultural competences are essential for communication across cultural, linguistic, religious, social and institutional boundaries — in schools and universities, but also in workplaces, public institutions, local communities, international projects and digital environments. Youth are not only beneficiaries of education policy; they are active participants in social change, and their experiences of digitalisation, migration, labour-market uncertainty and global communication differ significantly from those of previous generations.
Lifelong learning is included because education cannot be limited to formal schooling. Rapid technological and social change requires continuous development of knowledge, skills and competences across the life course, including adult education, professional development, non-formal learning, digital upskilling, community education and intercultural training. Research should contribute to better curricula, teaching methods, training programmes and inclusive educational policies.
Session 6
Cultural Heritage, Arts, History and Identity
Cultural heritage, arts, history and identity are fundamental to the ways in which communities understand themselves and relate to others. They preserve memory, transmit values, shape belonging and provide interpretative frameworks through which societies make sense of change. In periods of migration, globalisation, political tension, technological transformation and environmental risk, these fields become even more important.
This session explores heritage and arts not as static inheritances, but as living resources for dialogue, education, creativity and social understanding. Cultural heritage includes monuments, museums, archives, archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, oral traditions, rituals, crafts and languages; the arts include visual arts, music, literature, theatre, film, performance and contemporary creative practices through which individuals and communities interpret their experiences.
History and identity are central to cross-cultural challenges because they influence how communities remember, narrate and negotiate the past. Historical interpretation may support reconciliation and mutual understanding, but it may also become a field of contestation. The session encourages critical, comparative and context-sensitive research on heritage, memory, identity, representation and cultural expression.
Be part of Global Perspectives
Submit an abstract on the official template by October 30, 2026. The conference proceedings are published under Diamond Open Access: authors pay no submission, publication or participation fees, and readers pay nothing to read them, thanks to the financial assistance of our sponsors and partners. Publication in one of the partner journals below is a separate route, and each journal applies its own editorial and financial terms.