Intercultural Dialogue and Global Perspectives: Romanian-American University Hosts the 16th Edition of the International Conference “Crossing Boundaries in Culture and Communication”
The Romanian-American University is organizing, from November 5-6, 2026, the 16th edition of the International Conference “CROSSING BOUNDARIES IN CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION – Mapping an (un)predictable perspective of differences”. The event is organized in partnership with the Department of Romanian Linguistics and Literary Sciences within the Faculty of Letters of the State University of Moldova and the Alliance Française Ploiești.
The conference is held in a hybrid format (in person on the university campus and online via Zoom), offering an open academic space for researchers, faculty members, practitioners, and students from around the world.
Official Opening and Internationally Renowned Keynote Speakers
The opening ceremony takes place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in the Senate Hall. Opening remarks will be delivered by:
- Costel Negricea, Ph.D. Habil. Professor - Rector of the Romanian-American University
- Tudor Edu, Ph.D. Habil. Professor – Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Internationalization
- Mușeanu Elena, Ph.D. Associate Professor – Chair of the Organizing Committee
The plenary session highlights keynote lectures delivered by international specialists:
- Maria Yiannoullou (Casa College, Cyprus): “The Mediterranean Sea: a Bridge rather than a Boundary. Intercultural Communication, Identity and Dialogue – a Case Study on Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean”
- Alin Daniel Piroșcă, PhD (“Carol I” National Defence University): “Behind the Mirror. The Invisible Territories of Eroticism, Love and Intimacy Journeyed by the 21st Century Man”
- Arunkumar Santhalingam, PhD (Founder & Director IFRINA, President AIFPRO): “The Next Paradigm: Process-Tracing and the Future of Writing Evaluation in Foreign Language Teaching”
An Interdisciplinary and Applied Academic Program
Over the course of the two days, the conference will cover contemporary topics through scientific sessions and interactive workshops:
- Intercultural communication and management: business challenges, social skills, and cognitive flexibility in the digital era.
- Emerging technologies and AI: the impact of artificial intelligence and generative models (ChatGPT) on academic writing, university assessment, and foreign language teaching.
- Applied intercultural psychology: adaptation mechanisms, multicultural identity, and cognitive-behavioral interventions.
- Urban space and architecture: the workshop “The Architecture of Belonging: How Urban Space Includes or Excludes”, dedicated to how the built environment influences inclusion and cultural heritage.
- Early childhood education and relational pedagogy: innovative approaches to child development and the dynamics of play-based learning.
- Linguistic, literary, and Francophone studies: sections dedicated to Romanian as a foreign language, specialized terminology (legal, medical), translation studies, and Francophone culture.
Details and Participation
All sessions in the program are accessible to the academic community and the interested public both in the dedicated campus halls and via the Zoom platform.
Period: November 5-6, 2026
Opening: Thursday, November 5, 10:00 AM (Senate Hall)
Official website & full schedule: jrintconf.rau.ro
