Interculturalism vs. Multiculturalism — What's the Difference?

Interculturalism refers to support for cross-cultural dialogue and challenging self-segregation tendencies within cultures. Interculturalism involves moving beyond mere passive acceptance of a multicultural fact of multiple cultures effectively existing in a society and instead promotes dialogue and interaction between cultures.

The term multiculturalism has a range of meanings within the contexts of sociology, political philosophy, and colloquial use. In sociology and in everyday usage, it is a synonym for "ethnic pluralism", with the two terms often used interchangeably, and for cultural pluralism in which various ethnic groups collaborate and enter into a dialogue with one another without having to sacrifice their particular identities.

The philosophy of exchanges between cultural groups within a society

Of, relating to, or including several cultures.

Of or relating to a social or educational theory that encourages interest in many cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream culture.

The characteristics of a society, city etc. which has many different ethnic or national cultures mingling freely; political or social policies which support or encourage such coexistence.

The doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can co-exist peacefully and equitably in a single country