Multidisciplinary design for intercultural learning

Crafting digital services for a multicultural society

Irina Suteu, Margherita Pillan, Politecnico di Milano

Temporary residents

Immigrants

Refugees

Second generation italians

Foreigners: who are they?

Furthermore: age, gender, education, social status,… as factors of differentiation

Practical problems

Social phenomena

Cultural differences

Psychological phenomena

Gender issues

Practical problems Language issues and communication Stay permit and visa Understanding local bureaucratic procedures and public service systems Health care Citizenship Recognition of diplomas and past experiences Different law systems Private property and taxation …

Social phenomena

Exclusion/inclusion Racist attitudes and prejudices Attitude toward the country of origin Relationship with fellow country people Conflicts on local ground

Cultural differences Religion Family and parental models Food habits Aesthetic preferences Civil rights Time prospects (the importance attributed to past tradition and history, the importance attributed to future) Sense of responsibility Behaviour codes Women position in society Disposition toward innovation …

Integration is a goal?

Social diversity is an opportunity…

Actually: an endless source of opportunities

Problems only

A better perspective: the multicultural society

NAGA ASNADA

INTERCULTURE INTESE

Designing services to foster diversity in multicultural societies

Some strategies

Support and promote communities of peers

Exploit personal competences and capabilities

Fight against prejudices and stereotipes about ethnies

Promote multicultural and intercultural exchange and interaction

Exploit diversity

Promoting self organization and collaborative problem solving

Explain the value and importance of diversity in societies

DIALOG WITH INSTITUTION MEMBERS AND PROMOTE CULTURAL CHANGE

98 students organized in groups of 3-4 pers.

2 Design professors + 2 tutors

2 Computer science professors + 1 tutor

4 Associations

Course schedule

ABCDiario Sassi, Verrengia, Zangrandi

Melting Dot Ferrando, Gasparini, Sartor

GameMate Bozzato, Castro, Leoni and Xia

Thank you! Irina Suteu Research fellow

Margherita Pillan Executive vice dean, Design Dept.

Politecnico di Milano

irinamaria.suteu@polimi.it margherita.pillan@polimi.it