The Relevance of Intercultural Communication in the Context of Sustainable Development Challenges

The article has researched the theoretical foundations and variants of practical employment of intercultural communication in the context of sustainable development which is seen as a global trend based on observing the human rights. Using the public administration method, the article has analyzed the notions of sustainable development and intercultural sustainability based on communication in their interconnection and interaction as the potential notions for the future research field.  The analysis has been grounded on the assumptions that sustainable intercultural awareness is bound to be a pre-condition for a general and global sustainable development of societies. It has been argued that intercultural research is becoming increasingly responsible for actively examining and reflecting on this capacity. Intercultural communication is seen as an organic component of sustainable development. It has been proved that this thematic area should be included in the official discourse on the dimensions of sustainability. Based on literature review three different approaches and their interrelation between culture and sustainability have been analyzed. A possibility of building stable intercultural relations from the point of view of different actors has been argued. It is argued that nowadays, the mission of education, language and intercultural communication, especially in globalized multicultural context, is to develop socially cohesive societies, promote multi-faceted public discourse aimed at preventing conflicts and, thus, ensuring more sustainable future. The need for further research into sustainability issues and urgent actions at all levels including international organizations, governments, and local communities is substantiated.