Patronage of IFIL

The following personalities stand behind the vision and the projects of IFIL:


Walter Fust, chairman of UNESCO’s International Program for the Development of Communication and former General Director Swiss Cooperation Office (SCD)
"Knowledge is one of the few resources, which is increased the more we use it. Knowledge is mostly a product of learning, of sharing and of the creation of access to knowledge sources. Learning depends strongly on its context. Culture plays therefore directly and indirectly a big role. The seekers and learners want more knowledge about other cultures. Learning from other cultures requires knowing well the own one. That's why the idea of IFIL is so important. We need “intercultural learning”. I wish all the best for the Initiative for Intercultural Learning."

Christin Ledergerber Hinderling, Lic. Psychologist and Managing Director of lh-consulting
"We are a global society which still has trouble understanding that each and every one of us is responsible for and needs to contribute towards the future of mankind. We need to learn to interact with different personalities as well as different cultures, learn to live peacefully with people from different cultural backgrounds. This is a challenging but rewarding process which requires that we know ourselves and where we come from before trying to understand the others.  During this process, deeply rooted concepts about what is good and bad are being questioned, what we take for granted and feel to be essential, is put into question. Our identity is challenged by other people’s ways of behaving and thinking, often resulting in irritation or conflict. Developing intercultural sensitivity is a challenging process which can help us shape our future and overcome obstacles. That’s where IFIL steps in, dedicated to contribute to this challenging process of ‚intercultural learning‘."