It’s been a heavy few months with the UK riots taking place. Racism and Islamophobia have been exposed and brought to the forefront of the minds of many, including those who may not usually discuss such topics. Addressing what has happened is necessary. Throughout this time many articles have addressed these issues and talked about the importance of anti-racism, solidarity and cultural competence as ways to create change in our society.
The idea of cultural competence is of particular interest. Many searches and social media comments show that some people are confused as to what cultural competence is and why it is of such importance to support the country moving forward.
So let’s get into it…living in a multicultural society such as the UK requires the ability to create interactions and relationships with people who are different from ourselves. Multiculturalism and diversity have somewhat reduced the barriers that once separated cultures both internationally and domestically (Garneau & Pepin, 2015). This presents a beautiful opportunity for cultures to collide, traditions to be shared, ways of thinking to be developed and so much more. This is where cultural competence comes into play as it provides the tools which support this happening effectively. This is greatly needed as worryingly; multiculturalism is sometimes seen as a threat or concern.
Cultural competence is defined by Williams (2001) as the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively interact with people and systems from different cultures. It involves developing the skills and knowledge to navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and respect.
So how do we become culturally competent and what does it require? Cultural competence first requires self-knowledge and awareness about one’s own culture, and of one’s own cultural worldview. This helps to identify biases and understanding of how your cultural perspectives influence your own interactions and perceptions.
Experience and knowledge of different cultural practices and attitudes is also extremely important, including others’ values, beliefs, traditions, and social norms. This helps to understand their behaviours and attitudes. Developing practical skills such as active listening and empathy support effective communication and interaction with people from different backgrounds. This can support more inclusive and respectful communication. Attitudes of openness, respect, and curiosity toward cultural differences is also a big part of being culturally competent.
Putting these skills into practice can allow us to adapt our behaviours and approaches to be respectful to all and meet the needs of the range of individuals we interact with in multiple environments. In the workplace, this could involve tailoring services, policies, or teaching methods to be more inclusive and effective for people from different cultural backgrounds and ensuring we are actively engaging with and involving people from different cultures in meaningful ways. This includes creating opportunities for diverse perspectives to be heard and valued in decision-making processes.
So why do we need to be culturally competent now more than ever? After the riots which were fuelled by racism and islamophobia, healing for the groups affected is a priority. When we are culturally competent, we are able to actively listen whilst acknowledging our bias, this fosters greater understanding and respect. It allows those affected to be heard and feel supported. It can help to rebuild trust between communities.
Race riots often highlight deep rooted issues of inequality and injustice. Cultural competence is essential for addressing these systemic problems, as it gives individuals and institutions with the tools to understand and begin to repair disparities in a meaningful way and prevent future conflict.
When more people are aware and sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, change and reform are more likely to take place. Cultural competence includes educating individuals about the history, experiences, and contributions of different cultural groups and informs positive change. It can impact policies to ensure they are effective and meet the needs of the communities affected. Cultural competence helps to bridge divides and strengthen social cohesion. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, it contributes to building stronger, more resilient communities capable of addressing and overcoming challenges together.
At IELA (The Inclusion, Equity and Leadership Association) the inclusion of all communities is important to us. We believe in the crucial need for cultural competence to achieve a more equitable society for all especially at this sensitive time.
Thanks for reading,
The IELA team.
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