Topic 1 Cultural competence reinforcement

1. Adequate communication

• Self-assessment: critical attitude towards our own preferences and prejudices contributes to the realisation that all people have their own beliefs/ stereotypes and consequently in the acceptance of diversity.
• Active listening: allows the interlocutor to focus on the discussion, to clarify the details and ask, again and again, creating a trust relationship with the interlocutor.
• Empathy: the art of understanding and feeling the other’s situation, without necessarily meaning that we agree.

Basic stages of active listening:

• sincere interest in an individual/ group of people
• attention to the interlocutor
• avoidance of harsh statements and effort to understand the other’s position
• creation of a favourable environment for the interlocutor/ encouragement to continue the discussion
• maintaining of eye contact with the interlocutor/ genuine interest in the discussion

2. Knowledge

Social research has shown that our values and beliefs about equality may -unwillingly- will be contradictory to our behavior.

-Many people are biased towards diversity due to lack of knowledge.

-The essential knowledge of our own culture is the first step to getting to know and understanding other cultures.

-The message in a conversation must be adapted to the culture and background of the interlocutor. 

 “Respect for cultural diversity is the only way to be universal” (Irina Bokova)