Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees

8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees

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Diversity: Global Context

at aLocal School

Rebecca Curtis, MA

Univ. of North Carolina Greensboro

Cathryne L. Schmitz, Ph.D., MSW

Conflict and Peace Studies

Univ. of North Carolina Greensboro


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Community Engagement

Resources: Research, Consultation, &

Training

Creating Interdisciplinary LearningEnvironments

Community Action ProjectsInterdisciplinary Creativity

Global Environment Practice, Development, & Research


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Building Relationship

Consultation & Training Research Interdisciplinary Practice Teams Class Project: Evaluation Organizational Diversity Related Issues


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Diversity

Diversity in the U.S. has beenincreasing over the last decade.

There are more minority births thanever before (El Nasser, 2010).

The U.S. is not only a country ofcomplex diversity but also employspeople from all over the world.


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Why is it important?

Because the market is not stagnant,organizations cannot afford to be

either Competitive organizations are

adaptive ones, which practice

inclusion in all areas People have different strengths and

when combined can make an even

stronger team


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An example

Local school serves a unique and diversepopulation

Local leadership at work Inclusive practices People open and willing to share


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Local Leadership

Investigated through interviews Interviewed principal, art teacher,

gym teacher, guidance counselor,

secretary/interpreter, and social

worker

Looked at trends in answers


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Interview Questions

What word do you use to describe diversity in yourorganization and how do you define it?

Do you feel there is diversity among staff? Do you talk aboutit?

Do you feel having diversity enriches the environment? What are some of the challenges diversity brings among staff? Do you feel the school is setup to facilitate discussions and

allow for diversity?

Is there staff support for diversity? What are some of the challenges diversity brings to the

classroom? How does the organization deal with the language diversity

among students and staff?

What strategies do you feel are working? What improvements can be made?


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Whats working?

Interpreters make it possible! We have a wonderful principal. He sets

the tone for the organization Openness at all levels of the organization Teachers and staff were asked to join the

team

Diversity reflected in the staff Principal values employees feedback and

expertise on topics


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What can we learn?

It is necessary for people to be heard.People enjoy working in a place where

they matter. Everyone is diverse. We need to

determine what to focus on. Leadership

models can help

Diversity includes learning styles,presenting styles, and much more than

looks. It includes experiences

People know when they are appreciated


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Where to go from here?

Let people know they matter throughpolicy and daily interactions

If you run an organization like an island orcontrol freak, you will not be sustainable Sometimes it pays to listen you may

learn something you didnt know

We need to come together to find theanswers


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An inclusive model


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Personal & Professional

Needs Accommodations for diverse learning and

teaching styles

Flexible holiday schedules Empowering people to share their ideas

and concerns so they feel a vital part of

the organization (Tropman, 1998)


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Physical Environment

Office space needs to be considered Placement of the leaders office Communal areas such as break rooms

and large rooms should be stocked to

welcome and accommodate the needs of

all employees

Private space for personal needs such asnursing or religious considerations


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Cultural Considerations

Support for cultural dress and hairstyle Accommodation for ableness, gender,

age, and mindfulness of the holidayscelebrated at the office (Kivel & Wells,

1998; Howard, 1998)

Allowing flexible schedules toaccommodate religious and personalneeds is key


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Summary

Local model of leadership can be applied tomany other organizations

Personal accounts of successes People need a chance to share their strengths People need opportunities to collaborate People need opportunities to educate

themselves and others Combined we are stronger and more well-

rounded


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References

El Nasser, H. (2010, June 22). Minority births drive growth in U.S. diversity[Electronic version]. USA Today. Retrieved fromhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-06-10-census-minorities_N.htm

Howard, D. (1998). Organizational and social barriers confronting peoplewith disabilities in the workplace. In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity:

Issues & Perspectives (pp. 56-60). DC: NASW Press. Kivel, B.D. & Wells, J.W. (1998). Working it out: What managers should

know about gay men, lesbians, and bisexual people and their employmentissues. In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity: Issues & Perspectives (pp.103-115). DC: NASW Press.

Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B. Z. (2007). The Leadership Challenge. CA:Jossey Bass.

Tropman, J.E. (1998). Social issues, social policy, and workplace diversity.In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity: Issues & Perspectives (pp. 88-102).DC: NASW Press.

The Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research. (2004).Human Needs, Humanitarian Intervention, Human Security and the War inIraq by Johan Galtung. Retrieved May 5, 2010 fromhttp://www.transnational.org/SAJT/forum/meet/2004/Galtung_HumanNeeds.html

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Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees