So far, the academic programs offered within the Faculty of Philosophy provided a tool for education and training within the different spheres of UNESCO priorities and goals (peace education, culture of peace, identity and nationalism, conflict resolution etc.) The experiences have confirmed that in order to meet intercultural complexity of the country and the region and to support dialogue and mutual understanding among groups and individuals there is a need to strengthen intercultural education and research as key instruments for intercultural communication. The Faculty of Philosophy as an oldest academic institution within the University of St. Cyril and Methodius acknowledges that in order to achieve and promote UNESCO values and goals it needs to improve its own capacity for intercultural education and research.

The main aims are:

(1) Trough academic programs and education to enhance knowledge and intercultural understanding, to develop skills for intercultural dialogue and to establish sustainable cooperation between partners;

(2) To establish tools for research cooperation;

(3) To improve cooperation among different parts of society in promotion of humanistic values and dialogue and protection of cultural heritage.

Expected outcomes are:

1) Improving intercultural dialog use trough better understanding and learning about diversity trough educational process on different levels,

(2) Learning about social diversity and its impact on society,

(3) Improved and open dialogue and communication among experts, professionals, young people and students, activists and leaders to work together on intercultural issues

The experience that Faculty of Philosophy gained through years of education and training of teachers engaged in primary or secondary schools, as well as other professionals have proved that there is a need to prepare both educators and researchers for more complex process of education, especially within multiethnic and multicultural environment of the country and the region. The experience also proved that there is a need for comprehensive and better-structured efforts in providing capacities for intercultural education and research. The Project activities will include following target groups: teachers from primary and secondary schools; professionals and experts involved in the process of education; public officials and politicians concerted with intercultural issues in education on local, national and regional level; representatives of civil sector and research community and experts. The gender equality will be incorporated as a cross thing issue within the education and research project.