Posted by Akiko
As many of you know, Interculturalist utilizes the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) as one of our key learning and development tools. In addition to being a long term IDI Qualified Administrator, I teach IDI Qualifying Seminars, where those who want to learn about and become an IDI Qualified Administrator attend.
I enjoy teaching these Qualifying Seminars. This is where I meet those individuals who are committed to bringing intercultural development to their work and life. Even though the seminar curriculum stays consistent each time, each seminar turns out to be very unique due to the makeup of the participants. I thoroughly enjoy each participant's input during the seminar and the group dynamics that each cohort creates for their learning.
The latest Qualifying Seminar was held just a few days ago at the Guthrie Theater, in one of their classrooms with an incredible view of the Mississippi River. It was a small size Qualifying Seminar, privately hosted by a unique consortium of Minnesota organizations: Children's Theatre Company, Guthrie Theater, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Minnesota Children's Museum, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Zoo, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Science Museum of Minnesota, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Walker Art Center.
Akiko with Mandy Kutschied (Ordway), Jean Leunter (Guthrie Theater), Juliette Francis (Science Museum of MN), Rishi Donat (Walker Art Center), Deb Girdwood (Children’s Theatre Company), Allison Gredesky (MN Children's Museum), Jim Langemo (Hennepin Theatre Trust), Jen Muenchow (St. Paul Chamber Orchestra), Katie Otto (Minnesota Orchestra), Mary Robinson (Minnesota Zoo)
I am extremely excited for their initiatives and engagement in championing the intercultural learning and development work in their respective professional arenas. These organizations offer outstanding learning opportunities for children and adults. Children and adults can learn so much about people, animals, communities, themselves, the environment, and many other things from these institutions. As a result, these organizations have incredible responsibilities and privileges in controlling how their respective educational opportunities are presented, introduced, and communicated to visitors.
Isn't it just fascinating and inspiring that these organizations are committing to improving their intercultural capacity? I am so hopeful. I am grateful that I was given this opportunity to work with them through the IDI Qualifying Seminar. I'm confident that these individuals and organizations represented by them will be contributors to a more intercultural Minnesota.