THE WHITE MAP SYNDROME   When we view a map of the United States in relation to our neighbor countries, our maps almost invariably stop at the borders.  The rest is a “white map”, with nothing of importance, (merely Mexicans or Canadians). The NBC “Today ” program weather map is a typical example.  However, we are not the only ones who do this.  View a map of Mexico and, what happens?  Sure enough, even more white map than with US projections.  For Mexico it seems as if there is nothing but “ugly gringos” north of the line.   In an era of globalization, a dissolution of the nation state (witness the European Common Market, the NAFTA), this White Map Syndrome a very risky world view; it creates the illusion that lines drawn on maps represent the same “reality” that they might have in the past.  We must view the political geography of our planet with different eyes

Intercultural Training Seminars

Is the Water Safe to Drink?

This program provides an opportunity to discuss and analyze cross-cultural situations that are encountered in professional and social life.

Learn how assumptions, perceptions, personal priorities, methods and forms of communication, values, judgments and expectations about those from other cultures can affect relationships with them.

• Explore inter-cultural differences through discussions, case studies and lectures. 
• Learn how to read non-verbal gestures, sometimes known as the "silent language”.
• Learn about the skills required to observe and function in a different culture.
• Learn how to analyze feelings about people who are different from you.
• Learn how cultural bias and differences can affect relationships with authorities, colleagues and subordinates.
• Learn about "Culture Shock" and the intercultural adjustments that can help survive it.
• Learn about some of the aspects that characterize a society beyond the stereotypes. 
• Learn to determine the priorities, assumptions and expectations of colleagues to develop the most effective approach for shared work.
• The workshop concentrates on the active involvement of the participants and lectures and readings.
• The final phase of the intercultural workshop focuses on creating a list of tasks that participants can take with them to implement after the conclusion of the workshop.