Multidisciplinary design for intercultural learning. Paper presentation at DRS Conferences Oslo 2013. http://www.hioa.no/eng/About-HiOA/Faculty-of-Technology-Art-and-Design/DRS-CUMULUS-Oslo-2013

1. Multidisciplinary design for
intercultural learning
Crafting digital services for a
multicultural society
Irina Suteu, Margherita Pillan, Politecnico di Milano

3. Temporary residents
Immigrants
Refugees
Second generation italians
Foreigners: who are they?

4. Furthermore: age, gender, education, social status,…
as factors of differentiation
Practical problems
Social phenomena
Cultural differences
Psychological phenomena
Gender issues

5. Practical problems
Language issues and communication
Stay permit and visa
Understanding local bureaucratic procedures
and public service systems
Health care
Citizenship
Recognition of diplomas and past experiences
Different law systems
Private property and taxation
…

6. Social phenomena
Exclusion/inclusion
Racist attitudes and prejudices
Attitude toward the country of origin
Relationship with fellow country people
Conflicts on local ground

7. Cultural differences
Religion
Family and parental models
Food habits
Aesthetic preferences
Civil rights
Time prospects (the importance attributed to past
tradition and history, the importance attributed to
future)
Sense of responsibility
Behaviour codes
Women position in society
Disposition toward innovation
…

8. Integration is a goal?
Social diversity is an opportunity…
Actually: an endless source of opportunities

9. Problems only
A better perspective:
the multicultural society

10. NAGA
ASNADA
INTERCULTURE
INTESE

11. Designing services to foster
diversity in multicultural societies

12. Some strategies
Support and promote communities of peers
Exploit personal competences and capabilities
Fight against prejudices and stereotipes about ethnies
Promote multicultural and intercultural exchange and interaction
Exploit diversity
Promoting self organization and collaborative problem solving
Explain the value and importance of diversity in societies
DIALOG WITH INSTITUTION MEMBERS AND
PROMOTE CULTURAL CHANGE

14. 98 students organized in groups
of 3-4 pers.
2 Design professors
+ 2 tutors
2 Computer science professors
+ 1 tutor
4 Associations

15. Course schedule

18. ABCDiario
Sassi, Verrengia, Zangrandi

20. Melting Dot
Ferrando, Gasparini, Sartor

21. GameMate
Bozzato, Castro, Leoni and Xia

22. Thank you!
Irina Suteu Research fellow
Margherita Pillan
Executive vice dean, Design Dept.
Politecnico di Milano
irinamaria.suteu@polimi.it
margherita.pillan@polimi.it