Defining Multicultural, Cross-cultural, and Intercultural Multicultural:

In multicultural communities, we live alongside one another.
We value tolerance, and celebrate one another’s culturally distinctive cuisine, dress, music, dance, and related outward expressions of culture. It usually requires only superficial and polite social interaction.
A multicultural community can also mean that
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society allows and includes very distinct cultural groups, with equal status
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people from different cultural groups are understood as standing side-by-side, at times in isolation from one another
• often there is a superficial celebration of food, folk, and festivals without deep learning
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power differentials are not addressed; it does not allow for exchange between these cultural groups, and tends to only focus on representation.
Cross-cultural:
In cross-cultural communities, there is some reaching across boundaries.
We try to build bridges of relationship between our cultural communities by sharing, listening, learning, and being open to changing. It usually requires intentionality, and programs of education and community-building.
It also means that
The United Church of Canada L’Église Unie du Canada
Defining Multicultural, Cross-cultural, and Intercultural
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two or more cultures are considered or related to
• often cultures are compared or contrasted with one another, and one culture is deemed superior or inferior to another
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power differentials are still not addressed; it only allows for limited learning or exchange between cultural groups
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cultural differences may be understood or acknowledged, but are also managed in a way that does not allow for individual or collective transformation
Intercultural:
In intercultural communities, there is comprehensive mutuality, reciprocity, and equality.
Our social structures and everyday interactions are defined by justice, mutuality, respect, equality, understanding, acceptance, freedom, diversity, peace-making, and celebration. Intercultural community hopes to take us deeper than multicultural or cross-cultural models of community.
It also means that
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there are mutually reciprocal relationships among and between cultures
people from different cultural groups interact with one another, learn and grow together; build relationships and become transformed, shaped, and moulded from each other’s experiences
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“intercultural” is not a substitute for “ethnic”!
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the focus is on relationship building (not survival), deep connections, interactions, mutual gifting, respect, and learning from one another
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no one is left unchanged in the intercultural process: some examine their own culture more deeply, some are changed through their interaction with others, many learn more about what it means to be in community together
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racial and cultural power imbalances are addressed; people are enabled to learn from each other and lead toward the transformation of all peoples

Source : http://www.crossculture.com/services/cross-culture/

Cross-Culture Communication

Collaborative Efforts a Must!

© iStockphoto/timsa

"We didn't all come over on the same ship, but we're all in the same boat." – Bernard Baruch, American financier and statesman.

It's no secret that today's workplace is rapidly becoming vast, as the business environment expands to include various geographic locations and span numerous cultures. What can be difficult, however, is understanding how to communicate effectively with individuals who speak another language, or who rely on different means to reach a common goal.

Cross-Cultural Communication – The New Norm

The Internet and modern technology have opened up new marketplaces that allow us to promote our businesses to new geographic locations and cultures. And given that it can now be as easy to work with people remotely as it is to work face-to-face, cross-cultural communication is increasingly the new norm.
After all, if communication is electronic, it's as easy to work with someone in another country as it is to work with someone in the next town.
And why limit yourself to working with people within convenient driving distance when, just as conveniently, you can work with the most knowledgeable people in the entire world?
For those of us who are native English-speakers, it is fortunate that English seems to be the language that people use if they want to reach the widest possible audience. However, even for native English speakers, cross-cultural communication can be an issue: Just witness the mutual incomprehension that can sometimes arise between people from different English-speaking countries.
In this new world, good cross-cultural communication is a must.

Tip:

This is just one of our many resources on working effectively in different cultures. See our Understanding Culture and Managing Around the World sections for more on working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Understanding Cultural Diversity

Given different cultural contexts, this brings new communication challenges to the workplace. Even when employees located in different locations or offices speak the same language (for instance, correspondences between English-speakers in the U.S. and English-speakers in the UK), there are some cultural differences that should be considered in an effort to optimize communications between the two parties.
In such cases, an effective communication strategy begins with the understanding that the sender of the message and the receiver of the message are from different cultures and backgrounds. Of course, this introduces a certain amount of uncertainty, making communications even more complex.
Without getting into cultures and sub-cultures, it is perhaps most important for people to realize that a basic understanding of cultural diversity is the key to effective cross-cultural communications. Without necessarily studying individual cultures and languages in detail, we must all learn how to better communicate with individuals and groups whose first language, or language of choice, does not match our own.

Developing Awareness of Individual Cultures

However, some learning the basics about culture and at least something about the language of communication in different countries is important. This is necessary even for the basic level of understanding required to engage in appropriate greetings and physical contact, which can be a tricky area inter-culturally. For instance, kissing a business associate is not considered an appropriate business practice in the U.S., but in Paris, one peck on each cheek is an acceptable greeting. And, the firm handshake that is widely accepted in the U.S. is not recognized in all other cultures.
While many companies now offer training in the different cultures where the company conducts business, it is important that employees communicating across cultures practice patience and work to increase their knowledge and understanding of these cultures. This requires the ability to see that a person's own behaviors and reactions are oftentimes culturally driven and that while they may not match our own, they are culturally appropriate.
If a leader or manager of a team that is working across cultures or incorporates individuals who speak different languages, practice different religions, or are members of a society that requires a new understanding, he or she needs to work to convey this.
Consider any special needs the individuals on your team may have. For instance, they may observe different holidays, or even have different hours of operation. Be mindful of time zone differences and work to keep everyone involved aware and respectful of such differences.
Generally speaking, patience, courtesy and a bit of curiosity go a long way. And, if you are unsure of any differences that may exist, simply ask team members. Again, this may best be done in a one-on-one setting so that no one feels "put on the spot" or self-conscious, perhaps even embarrassed, about discussing their own needs or differences or needs.

Demand Tolerance

Next, cultivate and demand understanding and tolerance  . In doing this, a little education will usually do the trick. Explain to team members that the part of the team that works out of the Australia office, for example, will be working in a different time zone, so electronic communications and/or return phone calls will experience a delay. And, members of the India office will also observe different holidays (such as Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday, observed on October 2).
Most people will appreciate the information and will work hard to understand different needs and different means used to reach common goals. However, when this is not the case, lead by example and make it clear that you expect to be followed down a path of open-mindedness, acceptance and tolerance.

Tip:

Tolerance is essential. However, you need to maintain standards of acceptable behavior. The following "rules of thumb" seem universal:

• Team members should contribute to and not hinder the team's mission or harm the delivery to the team's customer.
• Team members should not damage the cohesion of the team or prevent it from becoming more effective.
• Team members should not unnecessarily harm the interests of other team members.

Other factors (such as national law) are obviously important.

When dealing with people in a different culture, courtesy and goodwill can also go a long way in ensuring successful communication. Again, this should be insisted on.
If your starting point in solving problems is to assume that communication has failed, you'll find that many problems are quickly resolved.

Keep it Simple

When you communicate, keep in mind that even though English is considered the international language of business, it is a mistake to assume that every businessperson speaks good English. In fact, only about half of the 800 million people who speak English learned it as a first language. And, those who speak it as a second language are often more limited than native speakers.
When you communicate cross-culturally, make particular efforts to keeping your communication clear, simple and unambiguous.
And (sadly) avoid humor until you know that the person you're communicating with "gets it" and isn't offended by it. Humor is notoriously culture-specific: Many things that pass for humor in one culture can be seen as grossly offensive in another.
- See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/Cross-Cultural-communication.htm#sthash.BQCmbvRn.dpuf