Interculturalism, the nature and scope of our work, is shifting as the world becomes more complex. The current global climate, from seismic geopolitical events from the global racial reckoning to the invasion of Ukraine to the genocides in Congo and Gaza, the impact of Artificial Intelligence, and push back on DEIB/JEDI have created an era of disruption for intercultural and DEIB work in academia, corporate environments and the community.
The Virtual Institute offers Master Classes featuring educators, researchers, and training practitioners who are on the cutting edge of research and best practices in their fields. They are ideal for industry professionals seeking a high-impact learning experience with immediate relevance and long-term value.
Master Classes are:
- Research Master Class: For professionals in or interested in research and research practices
- Education Master Class: For professionals in or interested in intercultural education at all levels of learning
- Training Master Class: For professionals in or interested in intercultural training in all sectors
Format: 3 Days
- 2 x 90-Minute Interactive Sessions
- 1 Integration & Application Lab
Each immersive 3-day master class is designed to deepen your expertise through a blend of learning, reflection, and practical application. Over two dynamic 90-minute sessions, participants will explore core concepts, engage in facilitated dialogue, and build new skills. The third session is a hands-on integration lab—an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios, collaborate with peers, and leave with clear, actionable strategies tailored to your work. Ideal for professionals seeking a high-impact learning experience with immediate relevance and long-term value.
Program
![]() | 22 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Opening Session Keynote Presentation Understanding Technology Worlds: Pluriversal Accounts of Intercultural Connection Professor Heather Horst |
![]() | 26 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Closing Session Closing Session Closing Ceremony Bernd Gibson, Facilitator and MC |

![]() | 26 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Film Festival SEVIFEST 1 International Short Films Featured Directors |
![]() | 27 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Film Festival SEVIFEST 2 International Short Films Featured Directors |
Research Master Class
This Master Class presents cutting-edge or applied research that addresses the challenges and opportunities of interculturalism in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) contexts. It highlights evidence-based insights into how our field can respond to geopolitical shifts, pushback on DEI, and the impact of AI—especially its ethical application as a bridge between differences. Our guest speaker shares where your research shows we’ve been, where we are, and where we should go next.
![]() | 23 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Research Research Session 1 Evolving Paradigms of Intercultural Thought: From Historical Foundations to Future Directions GL Hernandez |
![]() | 24 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Research Research Session 2 Evolving Paradigms of Intercultural Thought: From Historical Foundations to Future Directions GL Hernandez |
![]() | 25 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Research Research Session: Integration & Application Lab Future Implications Jana Hollá |
Education Master Class
This Master Class showcases innovative strategies, programs, or curricula that prepares students and institutions to navigate interculturalism in VUCA times. It draws connections between your higher education work and pressing issues such as global political change, cultural tensions, the evolving role of DEI, and AI’s impact on learning and engagement. Our guest speaker provides practical models and inspiration that equip educators and students for the future of intercultural work
![]() | 23 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Education Education Session 1 Reinventing Intercultural Futures: Back to Basics, Forward to Inclusion Trends, Tools, and Transformations for Preparing Students for Ethical, Inclusive Global Work Eithne Knappitsch |
![]() | 24 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Education Education Session 2 Reinventing Intercultural Futures: Back to Basics, Forward to Inclusion Trends, Tools, and Transformations for Preparing Students for Ethical, Inclusive Global Work Eithne Knappitsch |
![]() | 25 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Education Education Session: Integration & Application Lab Future Implications Lauren Dickinson |
Training Master Class
This Master Class delivers practical, experience-based approaches that equip practitioners to address intercultural challenges in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments. It shares training methods, tools, or frameworks that respond effectively to geopolitical change, DEI pushback, and AI’s ethical integration. Participants leave with actionable techniques to bridge differences and foster inclusion in diverse professional and cultural settings.
![]() | 23 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Training Training Session 1 Owning Your Story: The Intercultural Trainer’s Identity in a VUCA World Moutushi Künne |
![]() | 24 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Training Training Session 2 Owning Your Story: The Intercultural Trainer’s Identity in a VUCA World Moutushi Künne |
![]() | 25 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30 | Master Class: Training Training Session: Integration & Application Lab Future Implications Christina Overturf Goodwin |
Links to Resources (program, handouts, etc.) will be available here.
Moderators

Jana Hollá
Research

Lauren Dickinson, PhD
Education

Christina Overturf Goodwin
Training

Papa Balla Ndong
Film Festival

Bernd Gibson
Ceremony Host

The SEU Virtual Institute Film Festival (SEVIFEST) aims to promote interculturality by creating awareness about social, cultural and human rights issues through intercultural cinema and dialogue. The SEVIFEST seeks to advance the impact of interculturality throughout the world.
The SEVIFEST offers a meeting place for interculturalists, filmmakers and other professional artists from different cultural backgrounds. It is an international resource for film makers and artist, screening selected films and also featuring Master Classes on filmmaking before the Virtual Institute begins.Each film screened is followed by an interactive program that may consist of Q&As with Filmmakers, discussions with the audience, panel discussions, and/or debates with experts, politicians, journalists or representatives from stakeholder organizations where intercultural themes are clearly embedded.
Meet the Virtual Institute Committee
SIETAR Europa Coordinators
Grant Douglas, Tamara Thorpe
Young SIETAR Coordinators
Moutushi Künne, Lucrezia D’Amato
Film Festival Coordinator
Papa Balla Ndong
Communications
Nadya Siebenmann, Christina Overturf Goodwin
Supported by
SIETAR Europa IT Services













