Context Mapping
Where are we working from?
Starting Points
Why internationalise?
Explore what internationalisation means and why it matters in your context.
Why this matters
Internationalisation means different things to different programmes. It may involve student recruitment, mobility, language, curriculum change, partnerships, professional preparation or intercultural learning. These are connected but not identical. A programme may be international in one sense but not in another. This section helps programme teams to explore what internationalisation means in their context, why they are pursuing it, and what they hope it will achieve. This will help to avoid assumptions, identify priorities, and make more conscious choices about what should change, for whom, and why.
Key questions
- What do we mean by internationalisation in our programme?
- Why do we want to internationalise?
- Who is internationalisation for? Who benefits the most from it?
- What do we already do, and what do we assume we do?
- What would responsible internationalisation look like here?
- What should we avoid doing in its name?
- What should remain unchanged? What is already valuable?
Notes & Resources
This section brings together resources, examples, references and practical ideas that may help you explore the topic further. Use what is relevant to your context, and adapt it as needed.
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Explore what we mean by internationalisation in higher education
A useful starting point for thinking about internationalisation as an intentional process connected to educational quality and wider societal purpose.
Internationalisation of Higher Education · de Wit et al. · European Parliament · 2015 -
Explore a European vision for international cooperation in higher education
The European Strategy for Universities connects transnational and international cooperation with inclusion, shared values, societal challenges and universities’ wider role in society, while emphasising mutual benefit and reciprocity in global partnerships.
European Strategy for Universities · European Commission · 2022 -
Connect internationalisation with Europe's evolving cultural policy agenda
The Culture Compass sets out the EU's overarching vision for culture, connecting cultural rights, diversity, resilience, the conditions of artists and cultural professionals, and international cultural relations and partnerships.
A Culture Compass for Europe · European Commission · 2025 -
Explore a contemporary framework for internationalising higher education
This framework approaches internationalisation as an ongoing, institution-wide commitment, connecting teaching and learning, research, knowledge exchange and institutional practice while emphasising inclusive benefits for all students.
Framework for Internationalising Higher Education · Advance HE · 2024
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Connect your thinking to the current global culture and education agenda
Explore UNESCO's current frameworks connecting culture and education with cultural diversity, intercultural understanding, lifelong learning, and critical and creative capacities.
MONDIACULT 2025 Outcome Document · UNESCO · 2025 -
Connect your thinking to the current global culture and education agenda
Explore UNESCO's current frameworks connecting culture and education with cultural diversity, intercultural understanding, lifelong learning, and critical and creative capacities.
UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education · UNESCO · 2024 -
Explore the wider Culture & Education context behind this toolkit
The 2025 ENCATC Culture & Education consultation for MONDIACULT explores cultural agency, intercultural learning, diverse classrooms and lifelong learning, providing a broader context for the internationalisation questions developed in this toolkit.
Culture & Education Consultation Report · ENCATC / MONDIACULT 2025 · 2025 -
Look back at internationalisation through ENCATC's own history
Reflections from the ENCATC community show how international exchange and networking have shaped cultural management education, professional relationships and learning across countries.
ENCATC 25 Years · ENCATC
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Contribute to the toolkit!
Do you have a resource, example, question or reflection that could help others? We would love to hear from you. Help us keep this toolkit growing by sharing your ideas.