Differences and Similarities in the Discourse of Equality in Cross Cultural Academic Dialogues Europe-China.

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Abstract

In her paper "Differences and Similarities in the Discourse of Equality in Cross Cultural Academic Dialogues Europe-China" Xiana Sotelo provides an overall summary of the historical, political and socioeconomic context of Chinese women and their understanding of equality. The paper also embraces commonalities and nodal points between Chinese and European gender academics. In particular, it highlights the realization that cross-cultural misunderstandings are not triggered by essential differences among us, but by the ignorance of our particularities and specific contexts. The willingness to be open to the diversity of each other´s realities, and to reject hegemonic discourses of sameness, paves the way to recognize that women´s equality and liberation cannot be cross-culturally imposed. Retaining differences and interacting peacefully is the first step towards achieving intercultural cooperation and respect.