Competence

   Globalization is a process of mutual influence, in which all cultural groups should share equal power to cocreate and negotiate the "communication reality." Thus, establishing a new sense of "community" and learning to become a "global citizen" are the keys to survival in human society. A new sense of "community" manifests inclusiveness that draws together people of different races, ethnicities and genders; it mirrors the acceptance of cultural diversity.

　Global citizenship demands that people successfully negotiate their status in and among local, national and global communities; it mirrors the importance of fostering cultural identity. Achieving these goals demands what I label "intercultural communication competence" (ICC). 

　A model of intercultural communication competence follows:

　ICC based on three aspects of human ability: cognitive, affective and behavioral. The cognitive aspect of ICC is represented by the ability of intercultural awareness, which refers to the understanding of cultural conventions that affect how we think and behave. In other words, intercultural awareness is a process of attitudinally internalizing insights about a group's predominant values, attitudes and beliefs that dictate members' behaviors. It is the ability to draw an accurate "cultural map" to sort out the "cultural theme," or to understand "cultural grammars." 

　The affective aspect of ICC is represented by the ability of intercultural sensitivity, which refers to the development of a readiness to understand, respect and appreciate cultural differences in intercultural communication. In other words, interculturally sensitive persons are capable of projecting and receiving positive emotional responses in the process of interaction. 

　Finally, the behavioral aspect of ICC is represented by the ability of intercultural adroitness/effectiveness, which refers to the cultivation of communication skills, including language ability, behavioral flexibility, interaction management, identity maintenance and relationship cultivation, enabling people to achieve their goals appropriately and effectively in intercultural interaction. Only intercultural communication competence can people develop a multicultural or global mindset, and conduct a successful crosscultural dialogue free from the influence of political and economical ideology.