This short, position paper starts out by examining the need for global understanding. The author explains what may happen if the need for such an understanding was ignored. Several ways and means of increasing international understanding are presented. The author also describes some of the work that is being undertaken at various universities in the United States of America. The potential of mass media as vehicle for global understanding is briefly discussed. This is followed by some warnings about the over-reliance on mass media. The paper concludes with some suggestions for action by media professionals, teachers and artists.
Why strive for global understanding
Permit me to begin by posing an absurd question: Why should we strive for global understanding? I'm convinced that I have unanimous agreement that it is indeed an absurd and a foolish question. If we didn't think it foolish, we wouldn't be present at the 4th International Conference on Cross-Cultural Communication today.
However, our task, the task of the participants here, is two-fold. First, we need to generate a list of reasons as to why global understanding is essential, and two, find ways to present these reasons to those who seem unaware or uncertain of the need for such an understanding. I have a short list with only two items on it. Political Conflict and International Trade.