Background of the the Intercultural Awareness Program:

During the 2017 ICANN Academy Leadership Program, community participants enthusiastically supported the concept of an Intercultural Awareness Program. This program would consist of a course that would allow members of the ICANN community to become more familiar with various cultural aspects in order to facilitate communication throughout the ICANN community.

A pilot Academy Intercultural Awareness Program course will start during ICANN 60 with a face-to-face session followed by a number of teleconferences.

The course, which will be facilitated by Incite Learning and experienced Academy WG members, is open to all alumni of the ICANN Academy. Participants will learn from each other.

Among the issues identified to be discussed during the course are the following:

• Decision-making preferences and styles across cultures (using 8 dimensions)
• Key similarities and differences across cultures. How true are stereotypes?
• Conducting business, including email rules across cultures and type and length of small talk across cultures
• Actions considered to be polite/impolite or aggressive (ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior to be utilized)
• Gender Issues across culture, including personal displays of affection and dress standards
• Greetings and eating across cultures