Caprice Lantz

Intercultural Communication Building a Global Community

addition to the volume would have been more evaluation of the extent to which the ‘triadic’ idea of lifelong learning is being realised, and fuller discussion of the barriers which must be overcome if we are to move beyond the more economistic ideas which are dominant in many countries. Perhaps this very useful volume will stimulate further discussion of these challenging issues, and encourage more contributions from outwith the Anglophone world, which has tended to dominate this debate.

University in Translation: Internationalizing Higher Education. By S. Harris

Similarly, the other chapters in this section give emphasis to experiential approaches for the classroom. These have a particular application in the primary classroom which is a sector that is sometimes neglected. However, as pointed out in both the book’s introduction and conclusion, rigorous research has often lagged behind policy and practice in Northern Ireland and these chapters rely more on practitioners’ perceptions of favourable impact than cited research evidence. Particularly, there is an assumption that there is a direct progression between resolving conflict and fostering strong relationships at a personal level, and building stronger social cohesion between groups in society. This idea has been challenged by Gavi Salomon and others and demands much greater scrutiny. The volume records innovation and risk-taking in challenging and, occasionally, hazardous circumstances. As Gallagher points out ‘it represents the work and accumulated wisdom of extraordinary people who have made extraordinary achievements over many years’ (p. 358). However, in the final section, Arlow’s insider account of the evolution of LGC is a reminder that educational initiatives, not least those in contested societies, rarely develop as planned. That LGC is encountering similar structural and attitudinal obstacles to EMU, despite considerable reflection prior to implementation, is instructive for those of us who hoped for better. It reminds the wider world that even in a resource rich, sophisticated education system the challenges to bringing about societal change through schooling are considerable.