All psychiatrists would acknowledge that communication between individuals is fundamental to their speciality, but it is perhaps less obvious that the increasing ease and speed of communication worldwide are also having a profound effect on psychiatric practice. With this improved communication comes an awareness of the commonality of many mental health issues and recognition that there is much to learn from others working in very diverse environments. It is also true that many mental health problems have an international dimension, particularly when large numbers of people are displaced by war or other disasters. Increasingly we need to have a better understanding of other cultures and the relationship between culture, mental health and psychiatric disorder.