New approaches to examining globalisation
The Enlightenment was a time in history when questions and issues sprung out of the globalisation process. In recent times, such issues have gained significance particularly in Europe, considering its link to the Enlightenment. With EU funding, the project 'Enlightenment and global history' (ENGLOBE) designed a research platform Using the main concepts of knowledge, perception, values and evolution. It sought to challenge Eurocentric conceptualisations of world history and encourage critical thought that can be applied to global conflicts via intercultural communication. Project training programmes provided research fellows with academic training in global history, a new field in Europe, and also enhanced their skills and qualifications. Additionally, researchers learned new communication methods, and more about e-learning and project funding and management. Eight associated extra-European partners were also added in South and North America, China, India and South Africa. This helped form new ties of cooperation in addition to promising relationships with other projects. The project successfully established coherent joint objectives and working methods within the four workgroups. Conferences and further collaborative efforts will be beneficial to not only academic environments but also to the field of foreign cultural policy affairs.
Keywords
Globalisation, Enlightenment, global history, global conflicts, intercultural communication
