HLTHIR403BHLTHIR403B Work effectively with Work effectively with
culturally diverse clients & culturally diverse clients & co-workersco-workers
Apply an awareness of culture as Apply an awareness of culture as factor in all human behaviourfactor in all human behaviourApply an awareness of culture as Apply an awareness of culture as factor in all human behaviourfactor in all human behaviour
• Work practices followed are culturally appropriate
• Work practices followed create a culturally & psychologically safe environment for all persons
• Work practices are reviewed and modified in conjunction with persons from diverse backgrounds
• Work practices followed are culturally appropriate
• Work practices followed create a culturally & psychologically safe environment for all persons
• Work practices are reviewed and modified in conjunction with persons from diverse backgrounds
What is culture?What is culture?What is culture?What is culture?
• It can be argued that culture is everything that makes up life
– The way we do things– Our attitudes, thoughts
expectations and values
• It can be argued that culture is everything that makes up life
– The way we do things– Our attitudes, thoughts
expectations and values
• Family• Friends• Education• The wider community• Social activities• Media• Social institutions we interact with as we go through
life
• Family• Friends• Education• The wider community• Social activities• Media• Social institutions we interact with as we go through
life
How do we ‘learn’ culture?How do we ‘learn’ culture?How do we ‘learn’ culture?How do we ‘learn’ culture?
BondsBondsBondsBonds
• Strongest bonds are:
– Feeling or sense of belonging– Acknowledgement– Acceptance– Inclusion by group of the individual as member
• Strongest bonds are:
– Feeling or sense of belonging– Acknowledgement– Acceptance– Inclusion by group of the individual as member
• Bond may even transcend other common indicators such as:
– History– Traditions– Language– religion
• Bond may even transcend other common indicators such as:
– History– Traditions– Language– religion
Culture does not stay the sameCulture does not stay the sameCulture does not stay the sameCulture does not stay the same
CULTURE
DYNAMICWill develop differently when moved to a new country
Changing, responds to time, technology, movement & continuing adaption of group
1st, 2nd & 3rd generations of ethnic group may have differing customs from country of origin
Contains individual differences
Family practices, friendships, outside influences intermarrying of two cultures etc
DifferenceDifferenceDifferenceDifference
• Culture is not always determined or reflective of a person’s race or ethnicity
• Another aspect, factor or characteristic of a person’s life might be more dominant in their cultural identity
• Cultural identity may derive or evolve as a result of sharing similar characteristics, life experiences or choices/preferences facing similar discrimination.
• There are often sub-cultures within cultures and not all groups that experience a similar characteristic, experience or life choice will identify or assume the dominant culture of that group eg youth cultures (EMOS)
• Culture is not always determined or reflective of a person’s race or ethnicity
• Another aspect, factor or characteristic of a person’s life might be more dominant in their cultural identity
• Cultural identity may derive or evolve as a result of sharing similar characteristics, life experiences or choices/preferences facing similar discrimination.
• There are often sub-cultures within cultures and not all groups that experience a similar characteristic, experience or life choice will identify or assume the dominant culture of that group eg youth cultures (EMOS)
We can be a powerful & influential We can be a powerful & influential educator of:educator of:We can be a powerful & influential We can be a powerful & influential educator of:educator of:
•The local community•The local community
•Other workers
•Clients accessing our services
What defines an Australian?What defines an Australian?What defines an Australian?What defines an Australian?
Does it have anything to do with:
• the colour of a person’s skin?• The language they speak?• What they wear?• Their religion?• Their gender?• Their sexual preference?• Any disability they may have?• What they earn?
Does it have anything to do with:
• the colour of a person’s skin?• The language they speak?• What they wear?• Their religion?• Their gender?• Their sexual preference?• Any disability they may have?• What they earn?
• “Australians of all backgrounds will be proud before the world to say in whatever accents ‘I am Australian’”Al Grassby 1973
• “Australians of all backgrounds will be proud before the world to say in whatever accents ‘I am Australian’”Al Grassby 1973
MulticulturalismMulticulturalismMulticulturalismMulticulturalism
What do we mean by What do we mean by ‘Multiculturalism’‘Multiculturalism’
What do we mean by What do we mean by ‘Multiculturalism’‘Multiculturalism’
Multiculturalism recognises the positive contribution of ethnic diversity to Australia, the value of its indigenous heritage & the recognition that all people belong to the community regardless of cultural and linguistic background
Multiculturalism recognises the positive contribution of ethnic diversity to Australia, the value of its indigenous heritage & the recognition that all people belong to the community regardless of cultural and linguistic background
All Australians have the right to:All Australians have the right to:All Australians have the right to:All Australians have the right to:
• Participate fully in society• Have equal access to services and
resources• To have choices
• Participate fully in society• Have equal access to services and
resources• To have choices
Justice and equityJustice and equityJustice and equityJustice and equity
The values of justice and equality are deeply embedded into how we see Australia as a ‘fair and lucky country’.
The values of justice and equality are deeply embedded into how we see Australia as a ‘fair and lucky country’.
Our responsibilities as community Our responsibilities as community workers and Australiansworkers and AustraliansOur responsibilities as community Our responsibilities as community workers and Australiansworkers and Australians
• To provide an inclusive environment • To be powerful mentors and role models
to others in showing respectful ways to deal with diversity
• To provide an inclusive environment • To be powerful mentors and role models
to others in showing respectful ways to deal with diversity
CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEESS
CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEESS
To gain deeper awareness of culture To gain deeper awareness of culture and move beyond the obvious by:and move beyond the obvious by:• Gaining a deeper understanding
of our own culture• Gaining a deeper understanding
of the cultures with whom we come into contact
To gain deeper awareness of culture To gain deeper awareness of culture and move beyond the obvious by:and move beyond the obvious by:• Gaining a deeper understanding
of our own culture• Gaining a deeper understanding
of the cultures with whom we come into contact
Awareness of own cultureAwareness of own cultureAwareness of own cultureAwareness of own culture
• Insight into one’s own culture and awareness of its influence and history is essential to being open to learning about other cultures
• On this foundation can be built culturally sensitive and responsive communication & cooperation with families & co-workers of diverse cultures
• Insight into one’s own culture and awareness of its influence and history is essential to being open to learning about other cultures
• On this foundation can be built culturally sensitive and responsive communication & cooperation with families & co-workers of diverse cultures
First Fleet
White Australia Policy
Penal colony
Early explorersMabo – land rights
Tampa
Stolen
generation
Detention centre
s
Religious intolerance
Layers of cultureLayers of cultureLayers of cultureLayers of culture
• International LegislationInternational Legislation• Federal LegislationFederal Legislation• State LegislationState Legislation
• International LegislationInternational Legislation• Federal LegislationFederal Legislation• State LegislationState Legislation
Interesting statisticsInteresting statisticsInteresting statisticsInteresting statistics
• Almost I in 4 of Australia’s 19 million people were born overseas (DIMA)
• Of these, approx 25% were born in a country where English is not the main language
• Almost I in 4 of Australia’s 19 million people were born overseas (DIMA)
• Of these, approx 25% were born in a country where English is not the main language
Productive DiversityProductive DiversityProductive DiversityProductive Diversity• Aust govt recognises benefits of diversity for business in its
New agenda for multicultural Australia statement 2003• Aust govt recognises benefits of diversity for business in its
New agenda for multicultural Australia statement 2003
‘In the knowledge based economy where people are the key to the nation’s productivity & competitiveness, Australia’s multiculturalism is a most valuable resource. It encourages diversity in ways of thinking and stimulates innovation & creativity. It helps us to forge links with the rest of the world that can deliver increased trade & investment through the expansion of markets & development of diverse goods & services.
The govt is committed to promoting economic benefits that can be delivered in both domestic & international markets by capitalising on Australia’s wealth of cultural & linguistic skills & on the social & business networks of Australia’s migrants. This is pursued by the Productive Diversity Program.’
Productive DiversityProductive DiversityProductive DiversityProductive Diversity
• Cultural & linguistic diversity is a benefit to creative thinking & problem-solving in business
• It allows all to contribute to organisational success, reflecting in the provision of services that are appropriate for all the Australian public.
• Cultural & linguistic diversity is a benefit to creative thinking & problem-solving in business
• It allows all to contribute to organisational success, reflecting in the provision of services that are appropriate for all the Australian public.
Creating a culturally & Creating a culturally & psychologically safe environmentpsychologically safe environmentCreating a culturally & Creating a culturally & psychologically safe environmentpsychologically safe environment
• ‘The basic needs of security and & safety need to be adequately provided in order for the individual to participate in the community & gain a sense of belonging’. (Maslow, 1970)
• ‘The basic needs of security and & safety need to be adequately provided in order for the individual to participate in the community & gain a sense of belonging’. (Maslow, 1970)
Maslow’s hierarchy of needsMaslow’s hierarchy of needsMaslow’s hierarchy of needsMaslow’s hierarchy of needs
Food, shelter, sex
Air, water, sleep
Home and family Neighbourhood
Groups, clubs, workgroups,friends
Need to feel loved & accepted by family & others
Self-esteem
Attention & recognition by others
Seek knowledge, inner peace
aesthetic experience, self-fulfilment
Psychological & socio-cultural Psychological & socio-cultural adjustment in crossing culturesadjustment in crossing culturesPsychological & socio-cultural Psychological & socio-cultural
adjustment in crossing culturesadjustment in crossing cultures
• Stress arises when people cannot meet their everyday needs as they would in their own culture. They cannot communicate, cannot make themselves understood. The familiar ways of behaving learned during socialisation do not work in the new culture. As a result they experience a sense of loss & a sense of shock
• Stress arises when people cannot meet their everyday needs as they would in their own culture. They cannot communicate, cannot make themselves understood. The familiar ways of behaving learned during socialisation do not work in the new culture. As a result they experience a sense of loss & a sense of shock
Stages of acculturationStages of acculturationStages of acculturationStages of acculturation
How can we ensure that we are How can we ensure that we are constantly responsive to diversity in constantly responsive to diversity in
the workplace?the workplace?
How can we ensure that we are How can we ensure that we are constantly responsive to diversity in constantly responsive to diversity in
the workplace?the workplace?
• Truly inclusive WORK environments require a vision for inclusion of diversity that is not merely a cliché but a set of practices that take place daily, weekly, monthly etc
• Truly inclusive WORK environments require a vision for inclusion of diversity that is not merely a cliché but a set of practices that take place daily, weekly, monthly etc
Did you include these?Did you include these?Did you include these?Did you include these?
• Consultations with
– clients/client groups/client support groups– State departments of multicultural affairs– Government support programs such as
various disability services, refugee support services, ATSIC, CAHMA etc
– Community based networks from CALD groups or service providers such as migrant issue networks, multicultural forums, health and community service networks
• Consultations with
– clients/client groups/client support groups– State departments of multicultural affairs– Government support programs such as
various disability services, refugee support services, ATSIC, CAHMA etc
– Community based networks from CALD groups or service providers such as migrant issue networks, multicultural forums, health and community service networks
Some thoughts to finish with…Some thoughts to finish with…Some thoughts to finish with…Some thoughts to finish with…
The positive sharing and acceptance of diversity is one of humanity’s greatest riches
The positive sharing and acceptance of diversity is one of humanity’s greatest riches
Diversity is not a problem but an opportunity
Diversity is not a problem but an opportunity
Thank you!!Thank you!!Thank you!!Thank you!!