Аңдатпа
This article examines the concept, essence, and key characteristics of intercultural communication in the context of contemporary international relations. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing importance of intercultural interaction under conditions of globalization, increasing international mobility, expanding cultural exchanges, and the emergence of new forms of international cooperation. Intercultural communication is analyzed as an important mechanism of interaction among states, societies, and cultures that contributes to strengthening international dialogue, promoting cultural diplomacy, and reducing the potential for conflict in world politics. The purpose of the study is to analyze the essence of intercultural communication, identify its significance within the system of international relations, and examine the specific features of its functioning in the multicultural society of Kazakhstan. The article reviews the main scientific approaches to the study of intercultural communication presented in the works of both foreign and domestic scholars. Particular attention is paid to the influence of culture on international interaction, the role of intercultural dialogue in fostering cooperation among peoples and states, and the concept of soft power as an instrument of foreign policy influence. The study also analyzes the factors contributing to effective intercultural communication, as well as the major barriers, including ethnocentrism, cultural stereotypes, and differences in communicative models. Based on the analysis of the Kazakhstani experience, the study demonstrates that a multicultural and multilingual environment, policies of interethnic harmony, the development of cultural dialogue, and support for linguistic diversity create favorable conditions for establishing effective mechanisms of intercultural interaction. The findings suggest that intercultural communication serves as an important factor of social stability, international cooperation, and sustainable development in the contemporary globalized world.