The WCCES and Intercultural Dialogue: Historical Perspectives and Continuing Challenges

The World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES) has been strongly concerned with intercultural dialogue since the Council was created in 1970. Indeed advancement of education “for international understanding in the interests of peace, intercultural cooperation, mutual respect among peoples and observance of human rights” is one of the goals built into the WCCES Statutes. This paper begins with a focus on the origins and goals of the WCCES, noting in particular links with the mission of UNESCO. The paper then considers dimensions of evolution in the work of the WCCES in the domain of intercultural dialogue. It underlines the growth of the WCCES and the continuing challenges for securing balanced representation of voices and perspectives.