WAPES Intercultural Training Seminar in Brussels

From April 2 to 4, 2025, WAPES and SkillLab co-hosted an intercultural training seminar in Brussels, bringing together participants from ten countries across three continents and four WAPES regions. This immersive training aimed to strengthen the intercultural skills of public employment service professionals by combining theory, exchange, and hands-on activities.

A Rich and Interactive Programme

Over the course of three days, participants explored various aspects of culture and intercultural communication:

• Day 1: Introduction to cultural concepts through the “culture iceberg” model, cultural mapping theory.
• Day 2: Workshops on intercultural communication, acculturation, stereotypes, and bias.
• Day 3: Summary and reflection session, theoretical exploration of intercultural competence, and certificate presentation.

The training’s methodology blended theory with interactive practice, encouraging active participation and life-long learning.

Real Impact

Participants agreed on the value of the training. Beyond acquiring knowledge, they left with new perspectives and tools to foster intercultural cooperation in their professional environments.
“This seminar was designed with such care and passion for the subject of intercultural competence—it showed in every activity. The blend of theory and practice was perfectly balanced.”
“Thanks to the group’s diversity, I discovered new ways of thinking and working. This experience was beneficial both professionally and personally.”

What’s Next?

The success of this first edition confirms the importance of such initiatives. WAPES and SkillLab are already considering future training sessions to continue promoting intercultural competence as a key driver of international cooperation.