This report is centered on the 3 Seminars I

attended during the International Week in

Arteveldehs and a critique of an article on culture
of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Assignment 7 Intercultural
knowledge and critical
thinking
TMD

Honore Tabe 201696566

Table of Contents
Seminar 1....................................................................................................................................................2
Fair Trade: a lever for sustainable global development by Sarah Vaes.....................................................2
Why did I Choose this topic?...............................................................................................................2
What did I learn from the topic?..........................................................................................................3
Seminar 2....................................................................................................................................................4
Living and working in different cultures. A comparison between Canada and Ireland by Deborah Duffy.
.................................................................................................................................................................4
Canada.................................................................................................................................................4
Ireland.................................................................................................................................................4
Why did I Choose this topic?...............................................................................................................5
What did I learn from the topic?..........................................................................................................5
Seminar 3....................................................................................................................................................6
Development Economics and New Emerging Economies by David Van Moppes.....................................6
Why did I Choose this topic?...............................................................................................................6
What did I learn from the topic?..........................................................................................................6
My report on the book when cultures collide – Leading across cultures.....................................................7
Which information given by the author struck you as particularly true?.................................................7
Which information given by the author struck you as not true?.............................................................7
Which information that is important in this culture is missing?..............................................................8
African Cuisine and Eating Habits........................................................................................................8
In what way is the author biased according to you..................................................................................8
References...................................................................................................................................................9

1
Seminar 1
Fair Trade: a lever for sustainable global development by
Sarah Vaes
May 2, 2018 – 16.00-17.30-A5 campus Kantienburg.
The presentation was centered behind ensuring fair trade and other practices that accompany
global trade. These practices include activities such as fair working conditions during production
of goods in less developed countries, ensuring fair wages for workers involved in production in
les developed countries. A very good example she used to back up this point was “the dark side
of chocolate”, she explained that countries in Africa such as Ivory Coast are well known for the
cultivation of cocoa beans, but due to international trade and the aspect of absolute trade
advantage, these beans are sold abroad to be grind and processed into chocolate. However, it is
important to note that the farmers back in Africa earn less than those who process the beans
and the working conditions back in Africa are not the best. It is important to take certain aspects
into account when we are dealing with fair global trade. She went ahead to throw some light to
recent events such as;
- It was found out that the Belgian government pays very little attention to the aspect of
ethical clothing
- The United States recently imposed high import duties on steel as an act to promote her
local companies, but it is important to note that the impact is higher on foreign steel
exporters in Europe.
- Workers in Bangladesh strike for better working conditions on the 1st of May 2018’
She explained the above trends helps us get a better inside of what global trade is about.
Thanks to international trade, countries can specialize in the production of particular goods. She
moved to explain the idea of “the invisible hand”, which is countries trading in their best
interest by setting good prices and trying to buy at a cheaper price, there by giving a situation
where trade can be self-regulatory. This is how the idea of self-referee cam in leading to the
creation of World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO tries to ensure fair trade globally by
eliminating trade barriers, encourage local farmers, ethical trading initiative and good working
conditions.

Why did I Choose this topic?

Since I study International Business Management, I think having an insight on how to promote
fair trade globally is a part of internationalization. International trade is one of the most
important global aspect that links countries these days. Countries will always specialize on what
they have an absolute advantage and depend on other countries to produce what they can’t

2
produce. This by far the only domain where countries can speak in a single language. These are
the reasons I felt this topic is an important one to start with.

What did I learn from the topic?

First and most important, I learnt the reasons why countries specialize in trade and production
of goods.
Secondly, the goals and duties of the World Trade Organization we clear to me. They include;
ensuring fair trade amongst countries, ensure better working conditions, encourage fair wages
for labor, encourage local farmers and ethical trading initiatives.
Also, the idea of the invisible hand was clear to me.
Finally, the linking of recent events to the topic gave me more light on recent occurrence and
made me understand how the action of one country can affect the economy of another.
I didn’t ask any question during the session.

3
Seminar 2
Living and working in different cultures. A comparison
between Canada and Ireland by Deborah Duffy.
May 3, 2018 – 11.00-12.30 – A2 Campus Kantienburg.

The session was based on the personal experience of Deborah, who was born and raised in the
city of Meath in Ireland. In the year 2008, she moved with her partner to Canada because her
partner had gotten a job in Canada, which was better payed than his current job. They moved to
Canada without any idea about the Canadian culture, all they knew was English is a language in
Canada, so they won’t find it difficult living in the city. She later moves to give some differences
between Canada and Ireland.

Canada
- 10 provinces and 3 territories,
- People are very polite, easy to offend, democratic territory, liberal and gender balance in
government.
- Canadians talk about their success but don’t completely show it by their life style.
Financial success is shown from the are you live in.
- They are passionate about sports
- Casual dress code that demonstrates a part of their culture
- Socialization is don over a meal rather than a drink.
- Wine is sold in government liquor stores
- You pay 30 – 35% more than the listed price
- Tipping is expected up to 15 – 22%
- Work place culture; decision by consensus, rule-based culture and strong work ethics.

Ireland
- 4 provinces, 32 counties and approximately 4.8 million people
- 2nd exporter of software in the world
- Friendly but warm and extremely straight
- Humor is a big part of culture
- Democratic government
- Very tribalistic and passionate about sports
- Work place culture; don’t like power distance, participatory style of leadership, conflict is
typical but not personal and strong work ethics.

4
She explained networking is very important to find work in both countries. She encourages
people try to study a little about the culture of the places they are traveling to by using the
Hofstede Cultural Dimensions. It is important to know about the cultures and not depend on a
single story because we might be wrong about many things.

Why did I Choose this topic?

I have been a victim of cultural shock before. Coming to Belgium was ma first time leaving my
country, it was difficult leaving in a country with a different culture. It took several mistakes, and
misinterpretations to find my way through. In addition, being an international business
manager, it is only natural to learn about cultural differences because I might find myself in one
of those countries in the future and will know how to behave.

What did I learn from the topic?

I learnt about the Canadian culture and the people, but most importantly the Irish culture.
During my studies, very little or nothing has been said about the Irish culture. It was interesting
having someone who was born in the country to explain about the culture of the people. It was
interesting finding out about their sense of humor and not to be offended, their drinking rituals
and many more. But s far, the idea of disparity in culture between countries was the most
important lesson.
I didn’t ask any question.

5
Seminar 3
Development Economics and New Emerging Economies
by David Van Moppes
May 3, 2018 – 14.00-15.30 – L01.10
This session was centered on the aspect of developing countries and developed countries,
problems facing and predictions. He is coming from the Nederland’s, a lecture and football
manager. He explained the idea of 10% of Europe and America dominating the world’s
economy. What he meant by this is the most developed and advanced countries are found
mostly in Europe and America. These countries dominate world economy because they are the
most advanced technologically due to the industrial revolution and other innovations. Other
countries such as China and Japan who in the past were not counted amongst these advanced
countries have over the years advanced in development and are now counted amongst the
economically advanced countries. On the part of predictions, he explained the population of
less developed countries have over the years increased and will in the future increase to double
the population of other countries, thus there is the need to increase production to meet this
ever-increasing population.

Why did I Choose this topic?

It is interesting to know about the uneven rate of development existing in the world today, find
solutions on how to solve this and most important the rate at which the worlds population is
growing and how can we produce enough to meet the demands of this increasing population.

What did I learn from the topic?

I learnt about the predicted increase in the worlds population, proposed solutions and most
importantly how countries such as China and Japan have been able to move from under
developed countries to leading the worlds economy.

6
My report on the book when cultures collide –
Leading across cultures
After critically reading through the book talking on the culture of Sub – Saharan Africa by R.
Lewis I came to some important discovery about the some of the practices and values of the
African community. However, I do not agree completely with all of them as I believe some of the
points must have been written out of the author’s point of view of out of misinformation.
However, some of my agrees and disagrees are highlighted bellow.

Which information given by the author struck you as

particularly true?
The author said; “Slavery have left Africans with distrust for the whites’’.[ CITATION RLe06 \l
1033 ]. I agree with this statement because up till date, the impact of slave trade still lives in the
hearts of Africans. I could be the hardest thing to forget as the story is passed on from
generation to generation with images that support the act.
To support this statement, I came across an article; Slave Rebellions, and the was this statement
by the author; “Through all of this, African Americans and masters continued to live together in
a social structure marked, above all, by distrust”[ CITATION Nat06 \l 1033 ].
Furthermore, the author stated; “before the coming of Europeans, Africans had their own form
of religion, which was the worship of spirits and ancestors”. This is true because Africans
believed their ancestors watched over them and could protect them.
To support this article by Black Holocaust.it is written in it “The original religion of
the African people, however, was animism (the worship of spirits)”[ CITATION Hol10 \l 1033 ]

Which information given by the author struck you as not

true?
The author stated; South Africa is the only bright spot in Africa because of high GDP. I do not
completely agree with the author because there are many other African countries with bright
spots such as Nigeria and Egypt. Probably the author did not consider that minerals were
discovered in other countries which could boost their economies.
To support this, I site a statement from another author: “Agriculture
is Africa's largest economic sector, representing 15 percent of the continent's total GDP, or more
than $100 billion annually. It is highly concentrated, with Egypt and Nigeria alone accounting
for one-third of total agricultural output and the top ten countries generating 75 percent”.
[ CITATION Occ10 \l 1033 ]. No doubt African countries like Nigeria and Egypt are now looked as
prominent nations economically.

7
Which information that is important in this culture is
missing?
African Cuisine and Eating Habits
Africans beside being colonized by the Europeans and adopting almost all the European way of
life have managed to preserve an important part of their own culture which is their way of
cooking and eating their meals. Most of their meals are cooked with locally cultivated
ingredients usually by the woman of the house with the daughters. Africans also love eating
spice and hot food. Most of what the cook are usually cultivated locally. Some of the meals
include fufu and couscous. [ CITATION SAM14 \l 1033 ]. Africans prefer eating their meals with
their hands and with the presence of family because its considered an act of sharing.[ CITATION
Ser18 \l 1033 ]

In what way is the author biased according to you

The author so far wrote a lot of relevant information about the African culture and history
which are true, but in my opinion, I think the authors work is one sided and may be over
concentrated on countries. For example, he saw South Africa as the only bright spot in Africa
which is not true looking at todays statistics. Furthermore, the author stress on the woman
playing a very little and insignificant role in the African community, he probably did not see a
strong female president like Hellen Johnson being head of state in Liberia. Lastly, he says
Africans believed in tribes and no existence of nation. He forgets Africans saw them selves as a
nation and not just tribes.

8
References
Holocaust, B. (2010, 3 24). Original Religions Practiced by Africans. Retrieved from Race and History :
http://www.raceandhistory.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl?md=read;id=2307

Lewis, R. (2006). When Cultures Collide . In R. Lewis, When Cultures Collide . Nicholas Brealey
International.

National park Service. (2006, september 6). Slave Rebellions. Retrieved from National park Service:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/discover_history/slave-rebellions.htm

SerdarOktay, S. (2018, marsh 13). Journal of Ethics Food. Retrieved from Science Direct:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618117302287

Sheng, O. R. (2010, june). Africa’s path to growth: Sector by sector. Retrieved from McKinsey and
Company : https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/middle-east-and-africa/africas-path-to-
growth-sector-by-sector

SPOONER, S. (2014, july 13). Africa's 20 most popular foods: Biltong, fufu, injera, couscous, ugali
anyone? Retrieved from My Guardian Africa: http://mgafrica.com/article/2014-07-11-africas-20-
most-popular-foods