Unit 4 - Part 3 Respect for Diversity. UN Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) Standards Core PDT Materials 1 st Ed. 2009

Unit 4 - Part 3

Respect for Diversity

UN Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) StandardsCore PDT Materials 1st Ed. 2009







UN Core Organizational Values

• Integrity

• Professionalism

• Respect for Diversity


Why is this important for me?


Why is this important for me?

• United Nations Peacekeeping Operations are mixed institutions, including many diversities, including ethnic cultures and institutional backgrounds (military, civilian & police)

• The local population will have its own cultural norms and traditions

• The mission’s ability to function and its operational success is dependent on its personnel’s ability to maintain respectful relationships and communicate effectively with others


Learning Outcomes

1. Explain what is meant by “diversity”

2. Describe how cultural differences and different kinds of diversity might be evident in the mission environment and in the host country

3. Describe what is involved in respecting diversity in relation to working effectively in a multicultural peacekeeping environment

4. Describe strategies for enhancing communication

Diversity = variety, different kinds of things

Diversity in a human context refers to differences such as of ethnicity, race, professional backgrounds,

religious or political beliefs, and much more.

What is Diversity?

The Dimensions of Culture

The importance of the individual vis à vis the group in diverse social and

business situations

Group responses to change, the need for rules and the ability to take risks. Also includes the perception of how much

control individuals have over their destiny

How roles, power and authority are associated with each gender as well as individuals of different races, religions,

nationalities, etc.

The way individuals interact with one another within an organizational

hierarchy

How individuals use space to define themselves, including spatial distances used when speaking and the amount of space needed for comfort in business

and living environments

The importance of personal achievement and accomplishment to an individual’s

overall sense of well-being

The significance placed on completing a job versus devoting time to building

relationships among business associates

The way people in a society communicate, including the use of

nonverbal gestures

The degree to which a culture believes an individual can focus on

one or more tasks, and the evaluation of the importance of personal relationships

versus adherence to schedules

Relationships Time Communication

Hierarchy Status Attainment Space

Diversity Receptivity Change ToleranceGroup Dependence

Windham International Cultural Model

AgeRace

EthnicityPhysical Ability

SexualOrientation

Sex

GeographicLocation

Marital Status

Parental Status

Appearance

Work Experience

Income

PersonalHabits

RecreationalHabits

Religion

EducationalBackground

Functional Level Classification

WorkContent

Field

Division DepartmentUnit

Seniority

Work Location

Union Affiliation

Management Status Language /

Accent

Comm./WorkStyle

Core Personality and Ability — Who I Am

Dimensions of Diversity

Adapted from Gardenschwartz & Roe


Only about 10% of an iceberg is generally seen

above the waterline.


Beliefs, values, attitudes, storiesthought patterns,

(implicit & unconscious)

Obvious

LessObvious

see, hear, smell & touch

(explicit & conscious)


Race, Ethnicity

Language, Dialects

Hair, Skin & Eye Colour

Sex, Age, Size, Physical Ability

Clothing, Uniforms, Job Titles,

Food, Art, Dance, Music, Stories



Obvious

LessObvious




Concept of Time, Work Ethic,

Religious Beliefs, Definitions of Sin,

Organizational Attitudes and Practices

Concept of Justice, Courtship Practices,

Meanings about Clothing, Concept of Cleanliness



Obvious

LessObvious

Race, Ethnicity

Language, Dialects,

Hair, Skin & Eye Colour,

Sex, Age, Size, Physical Ability,

Clothing, Uniforms, Job Titles,

Food, Art, Dance, Music, Literature

Theories on Disease, Concepts of Past & Future

Attitudes to New Things, New People and Change

Attitudes & Relationships to Hierarchies and Authority

Patterns of Superior / Subordinate Behaviour (on job or otherwise)

Family Roles & Responsibilities, Traditional Roles of Men and Women

And much more…




It is important to be aware of…

Stereotypes =

Prejudices =

Beliefs about all people of a certain type

Judgements or opinions that are formed without real knowledge or examination of facts

Prejudices are generally negative


UN Core ValueRespect for Diversity

• Work effectively with people from all backgrounds

• Treat all people with dignity and respect

• Treat men and women equally

• Show respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrate this understanding in daily work and decision-making


UN Core ValueRespect for Diversity (cont.)

• Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses

• Do not discriminate against any individual or group


Attitudes Regarding Authority and Management

• Remember that the difference may be cultural

• Take time to understand what is happening

• Be clear & respectful in your communicationsand expectations

Body Language & Gestures

• Observe and acquaint yourself with what is culturally appropriate

• Ask colleagues for advice as needed


Religion

• Be aware of different religious beliefs and customs, particularly local ones

• Practice respect for all religious beliefs

• Practice respect for religious artifacts and places of workshop


Family and Roles

• Pay respect to elders

• Understand family ties

• Understand local roles and traditions for men and women

Dress Code

• Be aware of local cultural norms and climate

• Adapt yourself to local dress codes


Concepts of Time

• Don’t over generalize about any group’s ways of perceiving or managing time

• Reserve judgment about the meaning behind different attitudes and practices regarding time


Communication Process

CULTURE B

LANGUAGE, IDIOMS, NORMS, VALUES

Decoded through filter of

CULTURE A

LANGUAGE, IDIOMS, NORMS, VALUES

Original Intention

Communication

Verbal, Non-verbal,

Written

Resultant Understanding

Communicated through filter of


Communication Tips• Use common words and avoid slang and idioms

• Check that you are understanding and also that you have been understood

• Convey interest in understanding properly

• Allow enough time for people to speak and create opportunities for those who are speaking less

• Be aware of how what your tone of voice or body language may be communicating. Practice patience.

• Be careful in your use of humour


Learning from Others

• National colleagues are a great resource of cultural information

• Other colleagues who have worked in other missions and cultures may also be able to provide guidance


1. What do we mean when we talk about “diversity”in this context?

2. What kinds of diversities and cultural differences might you experience in a peacekeeping mission and the host country?

3. How does the UN expect personnel to demonstrate respect for diversity?

4. What are some specific ways that you can practice respect for diversity?

5. What are some ways you can enhance communications in a culturally diverse environment?

Unit 4 Part 3 Assessment Questions


Unit 4 Part 3 Assessment Answers

1. In this context, the word ‘diversity’ refers to the differences such as ethnicity, race, professional backgrounds, religious and political beliefs, etc.What kinds of diversities and cultural differences might you experience in a peacekeeping mission and the host country.

2. Possible answers include: race, ethnicity, language, sex, gender, physical appearances, physical abilities, clothing norms, eating habits and food preferences, religion, concepts of time, ways of working and perspectives on priorities, body language and meanings of gestures, style of communicating, etc.



3. The UN identifies the following ways UN personnel is expected to demonstrate respect for diversity.

• Working effectively with people from all backgrounds

• Treating all people with dignity and respect

• Treating men and women equally

• Showing respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making

• Examining own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses

• Not discriminating against any individual or group



4. Specific ways to practice respect for diversity include (but are not limited to):• Take time to observe and acquaint yourself with what is

culturally appropriate

• Respect others religions as we would our own beliefs

• Pay respect to elders

• Be sensitive to local clothing norms and concepts of modesty and propriety

• Reserve judgment about the meaning behind different attitudes and practices regarding time

• Seek advice from national colleagues and those who have experience working internationally and in peacekeeping missions



5. Ways to enhance communications include (but are not limited to):• Use common and simple words

• Avoid slang, jargon and idioms

• Check if you are understanding

• Convey interest in understanding

• Check if you are being understood

• Allow enough time for people to speak and provide opportunities for those who speak less

• Be aware of your body language and tone of voice and the impact they might have

• Be conscious and careful in your use of humour

Documents

Unit 4 - Part 3 Respect for Diversity. UN Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) Standards Core PDT Materials 1 st Ed. 2009