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Framework for Discussing Cultural Competence

   Source: Paxmondial.com

Developing cultural competence is part of a process that also involves awareness of cultural characteristics, realization that cultural attitudes can be changed and refraining from assigning values to differences that exist between cultures. Completing these stages lays important groundwork because successful culturally competent interaction requires participants to share the responsibility of adaptation. A culturally competent group creates an inclusive process that aligns policies and practices with specific goals.

Essential Ingredients:

  • Valuing diversity
  • Developing self-awareness (see Thandie Newton's TedTalk below)
  • Understanding the dynamics of difference
  • Institutionalizing cultural knowledge
  • Adapting to diversity

From: Building Culturally Competent Organizations by Tim Brownlee and Kien Lee

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