- "Cultural competence, also known as intercultural competence, is a range of cognitive, affective, behavioural, and linguistic skills that lead to effective and appropriate communication with people of other cultures."
Developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to communicate and work effectively across different cultural backgrounds.
Diversity: The recognition and appreciation of differences in individuals and groups, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and age.
Cultural identity: The sense of belonging to a particular culture or group and the values, beliefs, and behaviors associated with that identity.
Social justice: The fair and equitable treatment of all individuals and the recognition of the inherent value and dignity of every human being.
Stereotypes and bias: The preconceived notions or judgments about a group of people that are based on generalizations or assumptions, rather than on individual characteristics.
Communication: The exchange of information, ideas, and feelings between individuals or groups, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
Power and privilege: The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and advantages among individuals and groups, based on factors such as race, gender, and socio-economic status.
Leadership and advocacy: The ability to lead and influence others in promoting cultural competence and social justice, and to advocate for the needs and rights of marginalized or underrepresented groups.
Understanding cultural differences: The recognition and understanding of cultural differences in values, beliefs, and behaviors, and the ability to respectfully interact with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
Historical and global perspectives: The recognition of the intersectionality of culture, history, and global events, and the impact that these factors have on individual identity and cultural diversity.
Assimilation versus multiculturalism: The recognition of the challenges and benefits of assimilation versus multiculturalism, and the importance of preserving and respecting cultural traditions while also adapting to a new environment.
Awareness: Knowing and acknowledging the existence of different cultures and recognizing that these cultures affect people's experiences and behaviors.
Knowledge: Understanding the culturally specific values, beliefs, practices, and customs that shape an individual's worldview and behavior.
Understanding: Recognizing the impact of culture on different social systems, including politics, economics, education, healthcare, and family dynamics.
Attitude: Developing an open and respectful mindset towards different cultures and communities.
Language: Being able to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including using appropriate terminology and expressions.
Behavior: Adapting one's behavior to respect and accommodate cultural differences and avoiding the imposition of one's cultural norms and values on others.
Skills: Possessing the necessary skills to work effectively with diverse populations, such as cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, and cultural interpretation.
Advocacy: Promoting culturally sensitive policies, practices, and programs that address the needs of diverse populations and challenge systemic disparities and discrimination.
Equity: Fostering a level playing field where all individuals have equal access to resources, opportunities, and success, regardless of their cultural background.
Inclusivity: Creating an environment that respects and values different cultures and identities and promotes diversity, equity, and social justice.
- "Intercultural or cross-cultural education are terms used for the training to achieve cultural competence."
- "Effective intercultural communication relates to behaviors that culminate with the accomplishment of the desired goals of the interaction and all parties involved in the situation."
- "Appropriate intercultural communication includes behaviors that suit the expectations of a specific culture, the characteristics of the situation, and the level of the relationship between the parties involved in the situation."