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!!