Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Katina JonesFounder and CEO

EQUALS Group26 August 2015

About EQUALS• For almost 25 years, EQUALS has been providing quality and meaningful learning and

development opportunities to people from all walks of life. • Since our inception in 1991, our vision has been to develop the latent potentialities of

individuals and organisations by delivering both accredited and non-accredited programs addressing the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of life.

• EQUALS is committed to addressing the skills required for a sustainable future in a rapidly changing world.

• We advocate a new paradigm of work through our spiritual principles: ethical business practices, promotion of partnerships between women and men in all fields of endeavour, advocate and participate in corporate social responsibility and promote values based leadership.

• Our bedrock is non- adversarial decision making through consultation. 

Our VisionEQUALS has a vision of a new world based on universal spiritual principles. A prerequisite to this is the equality of women and men.

The world of humanity has two wings... one is woman, the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Our Mission• Empower individuals and organisations to realise their potential and maximise

their capacity; • Recognise, value and promote gender equality and cultural diversity;• Promote education as a means to achieve universal peace and unity. Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone can cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom. Baha’u’llah

The guiding principles that underpin our approach to learning are:

• Equality of Women and Men• Unity in Diversity• Development of Human & Spiritual Potential• Service• Decision Making through Consultation• Ethical Business Practice• Promoting Human Rights• Social Responsibility• Sustainable Growth & Development• Values Based Leadership

Spiritual Principles & Values

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Living our Spiritual PrinciplesValue Adding through:

• Cultural Competence• Human Rights• Spiritual Intelligence• Problem Solving through Consultation

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

• We are in the business of education, not ‘business’?

• Education means educating the whole person:Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Objective for today’s session:

• To share EQUALS’ experience and perspective of cultural competence and why it is important in today’s world.

• To stimulate discussion through thought provoking ideas and comments about Cultural Competence

Disclaimer: Don’t shoot me for what I am about to say.

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

WhyCultural Competence

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Story of the African student

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Story of the Indian students

Experience learning from a new perspective

What is Culture?

• The shared traditions, beliefs, customs, history, folklore, and institutions of a group of people.

• Cultural knowledge- Knowing about a culture• Cultural awareness- Understanding other

groups• Cultural sensitivity- Knowing differences exist,

but not assigning values • Cultural competence- Includes previous

stages; adds operational effectiveness (University of Kansas)

Experience learning from a new perspective

Definition of Cultural Competence

“Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviours, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in cross cultural situations”

(Cross et al. 1989, cited in NCCC 2006).

Experience learning from a new perspective

Why is it important to be culturally competent?

• Increased respect• Increased creativity and productivity• Decreased unwanted surprises• Increased participation from cultural groups• Increased trust and cooperation• Overcome fear of mistakes and conflict• Promotes inclusion and equality (University of Kansas)

• Increases profits

Experience learning from a new perspective

What are the types of diversity in an organisation?

• Ethnicity• Gender• Sexual orientation• Social class• Spiritual beliefs and practice• Physical and mental ability (University of Kansas)

Experience learning from a new perspective

Cultural Diversity at the Organisational level

• Philosophy• Mission statement• Policy, structures, procedures, practices• Diverse, knowledgeable and skilled workforce• Dedicated resources and incentives• Community engagement and partnerships• Information published and disseminated; and• Advocacy

(NCCC2006)

Experience learning from a new perspective

Value Adding through Cultural Competence

Unity in Diversity at EQUALSHow do we achieve this?Why is it so important?

Experience learning from a new perspective

Lyrics from ‘We are One” by Dan Seal

“But we are oneFlowers of one garden

We're one, the leaves of one treeLet the walls come downAnd stand here together

We are one family”