MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION: FROM IDEA TO PROJECT

Larisa V. Lezhnina¹*, Natalia S. Morova², Svetlana A. Domracheva^3
1 Prof. Dr., Mari State University, RUSSIA, flouers@mail.ru
² Prof. Dr., Mari State University, RUSSIA, morovans@gmail.com
³ Assoc. Prof., Mari State University, RUSSIA, domrachev70@mail.ru
*Corresponding author

Abstract
The article is devoted to the study of multicultural education as a social and pedagogical phenomenon in the modern system of higher education in Russia. The aim of the work is to summarize the experience of multicultural educational Russian universities platforms created as a result of an international project «Actions of Lifelong Learning addressing Multicultural Education and Tolerance in Russia» under the program TEMPUS IV (2013-2016). The activities of multicultural educational platforms are aimed at developing new conceptual approaches and models of practical activities in the field of multicultural lifelong learning.

The necessary conditions for the development of multiculturalism and tolerance of an individual are justified - special state policy and regional programs, continuous multicultural development and education from preschool to the elderly, educational courses and trainings for intercultural communication, thematic volunteerism.

These theoretical foundations formed the basis for a multicultural educational platform, established in the Mari State University (Republic of Mari El, Russia). The main purpose of this platform is the educational activity of multicultural content with three target groups: students - future teachers; professionals - educators, teachers, psychologists, heads of educational institutions; elderly people - pensioners, grandparents, transmitting successful life experience in the future through children and grandchildren.

The article describes the contents of specially developed educational programs of three levels and approaches to assessing the quality of the training received. At the same time the authors combine the classical foundations of Russian didactics with modern European technologies of multicultural education.

The research showed that the multicultural orientation of the educational process at the university ensures the formation of the students' competence in intercultural communication, socialization and personal adaptation. Thus, the multicultural educational platforms of universities become "growing points" for tolerance and positive relations in a multinational society.

Keywords: multicultural education, intercultural education platforms, tolerance, ALLMEET project.