TRAVEL AND IMAGES: HOW TO OVERCOME PREJUDICES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?
TRAVEL AND IMAGES: HOW TO OVERCOME PREJUDICES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?

Summary/Abstract: “Wer den Dichter will verstehn, Muss in Dichters Lande gehn” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) Prejudices do exist. And they are a part of International (and furthermore of Interetchnic and Inter-Confessional) Relations. They can play an essential role. At least since the 18th century, writers, philosophers and also the common people were convinced that travel is a good way to overcome prejudices, to introduce dialogue instead of stereotypes. And that dialogue could contribute to the comprehension of “the other”. In the European Union, mainly programs realted with the University and, more generally with the joung people, are based on this philosophy: they have to travel (to exchange), in order to know “the other” in the real situation. Is all this true? Is travel really contributing to the knowledge, to the establishment of relations which overcome prejudices, which open for alterity? Some examples from former centuries seem on the contrary to suggst that travel can confirm prejudices. Under which conditions can trevel be a positive element for transfrontier contacts?

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