Features of intercultural communication in the practice of social work in a polyethnic region

The article describes the peculiarities of intercultural communication in the professional activity of social workers in the conditions of multi-ethnic region. The analysis of domestic and foreign scientific researches on the problems of the ethno-national structure of the population of Ukraine was conducted, which facilitated consideration of the most common definitions of the concept "intercultural communication" and characterization of its socio-pedagogical aspects. The process of intercultural communication is revealed and methodological principles of intercultural communication are stated. The difficulties that occur in the practice of social work in the conditions of ethno-cultural diversity are described. Emphasis is placed on the totality of psycho - pedagogical conditions that ensure the formation of cultural knowledge, skills, abilities and personal qualities in institutions of higher education that a social worker must possess in his or her own activity for successful realization of intercultural communication. The article defines the criteria for the future social workers' readiness for professional activity in a multi-ethnic environment (cognitive, substantive-procedural, motivational, personality-adaptive). Some disadvantages of professional training of specialists of social sphere are noted: lack of clear orientation on the issues of ethno-cultural traditions of the peoples of Ukraine, insufficient awareness of the importance of features of multi-ethnic environment for effective intercultural communication with representatives of ethnic minorities, imperfection of educational-professional programs in the field of training of social workers taking into account the peculiarities of intercultural communication in the multi-ethnic region. According to the formulated conclusions, the prospects of exploring certain aspects of social work with representatives of ethnic groups in places of their compact residence in Ukraine are outlined.