Achieving Cultural Competency
Cultural Competence addresses how we personally relate to
each other across our differences.
It looks beyond culture as ethnicity to explore the complexities
of individual cultural identities.
At an organizational level it’s a set of congruent behaviours,
attitudes, and policies that come together in a system,
agency, or among professionals to work effectively with
diversity.
What is the difference between cultural sensitivity and
cultural competency?
Cultural Competence builds on cultural sensitivity and requires
individuals and organizations to develop the values, knowledge
and skills required to ensure equity of access and participation
for everyone.
What should cultural competency look like in your organization?
Increasing inclusiveness, accessibility and equity through
the elimination of systemic biases and barriers.
Fostering a staff reflective of and responsive to diverse
communities.
Creating a climate where discrimination and oppressive attitudes
and behaviours are not tolerated.
Valuing cultural differences.
Providing tools to support self-awareness and self-reflection
among individual stakeholders.
Ensuring systems that facilitate personal responsibility
and accountability.
What should cultural competence training include?
- Training should be mandatory and include:
- Human rights codes
- Opportunities to increase self-awareness
- Exercises that reveal assumptions we make
- Exploration of systemic discrimination
- Build on cultural sensitivity
Where can I go for more information?
Download more information at
www.hireimmigrants.ca/seminars
or
Contact Douglas Stewart, Cultural Competence Consultant
at dstewart@rogers.com
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