Intercultural Communication and Translation News

Culture and Mental Health: Intercultural Perspectives in Mental Health is a conference to be held on 3 September 2007 at The Resource Centre 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA.

Mental distress or “madness” is recognised worldwide. However, culture influences the presentation and meaning individuals, family members and community members give to experiences and matters to do with the mind. In one culture mental distress may be seen as a result of demonic possession or as a result of the effects of witchcraft or sorcery requiring spiritual healing. In another cultural context it may be seen as a result of genetically inherited disease such as schizophrenia requiring administration of anti psychotic medication.

Where different cultures have divergent meaning systems, what counts as a symptom and what do the symptoms signify?  Are the notions derived from some cultures given less value because of racism or cultural arrogance? Are mental health services equipped to deal with the diverse definitions of what constitutes a ‘problem’ and ‘treatment? How universally applicable is Western biomedical disease medicine? Does one size really fit us all? To what extent are psychological therapies such as psychotherapy which promote an individualised notion of the self applicable across all cultures?

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• Background

The BMW Group invites academics in many disciplines, including education, to submit qualifying papers and research projects that represent innovative approaches to the advancement of intercultural learning. Entries should be closely aligned to the basic philosophy of the LIFE concept.

• Deadlines: 

October 15, 2007

• Eligibility:

In the Theory category, prizes are awarded for degree work and other academic research projects that address the issue of intercultural learning. In all disciplines, work should demonstrate new ideas and an innovative approach to the issue of “Intercultural Learning” that can be seen to be original with respect to current academic teaching.  Papers of an interdisciplinary nature are especially welcome.

In the Practice category, BMW is looking for committed individuals, groups and institutions that are planning and carrying out initiatives for intercultural learning processes and carry them out in the form of concrete projects – for instance in child, youth and adult education, in neighbourhood projects, cultural and sporting programmes, etc.

• Value:

Prize money total is 25,000 euros. Individual prize amounts are not specified. Prizes will be awarded to the candidates who submit the best entries and be presented during the official award ceremony in Munich.

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