How do cultural conflicts arise and how can we control them? Why do religious, tribal, ethnic, and language divides escalate both in development countries and in Europe? What role does communication play at the start of these conflicts? And what role can the international community play in controlling these conflicts?

After his lecture, Mr. Pronk will debate with students of International Communication.

After a long career in politics, Pronk was appointed as Professor at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague. From mid 2004 until the end of 2006 he lived in Khartoum as the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan, where he was leading the UN peace keeping operation (UNMIS). In 2007 he resumed his position at the ISS.

The Geert Hofstede lecture was first established in 2004. It focuses on issues and discussions pertaining to intercultural communication as a driving force in the business world and society as a whole.

More information: http://studium.hosting.rug.nl/2008_Activiteiten/hofstede.htm