Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness Training
DELIVERY OPTIONS
Face to Face | Virtual | Online
For employers an essential skill in the provision of culturally appropriate services, cultural awareness entails an understanding of how a person’s culture may inform their values, behaviour, beliefs and basic assumptions. Cultural awareness recognises that we are all shaped by our cultural background, which influences how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people.
Diversity Australia promotes that you don’t need to be an expert in every culture or have all the answers to be culturally aware, rather that cultural awareness helps you to explore cultural issues with your staff and customers more sensitively.
We offer information through our programs about how specific cultural practices will help to increase your cultural knowledge by providing an overview of cultural characteristics and issues without forgetting it is always important to identify individual needs and preferences and remember that no individual can be reduced to a set of cultural norms.
We recognise that within any culture, peoples’ values, behaviour and beliefs can vary enormously. Differences may occur due to time of arrival in Australia, length of settlement, socio-economic background, level of education, rural or urban residence, identification with cultural and religious background, and different life experiences – including the experience of migration.
Cultural awareness entails an understanding of the migration process itself. Migration is a key influence on a person’s life, with differing effects due to the different experiences of pre-migration, migration and resettlement. While some migrants undergo a relatively easy transition, most migrants will undergo some, if not many challenges in adjusting to life in a new country.
Some of the many post-migration stressors include: the stress of separation from homeland, family members, friends and support networks; racial discrimination; changes in lifestyle and socio-economic status; culture shock; language barriers; and the ongoing trauma of pre-migration experiences, which may have included war and political instability, physical and psychological abuse, and travelling as a refugee or living in a refugee camp.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Be aware of your own cultural influences.
- Be aware of judging other people’s behaviour and beliefs according to the standards of your own culture.
- Be aware of making assumptions about cultural influences and applying generalisations to individuals.
- Understand that the behaviour and beliefs of people within each culture can vary considerably.
- Understand that the extent to which people adopt practices of their new country and retain those from their cultural background can vary within communities, even within families.
- Understand that not all people identify with their cultural or religious background.
- Understand that culture itself is a fluid entity, undergoing transformations as a result of globalisation, migration and the diaspora influence.
- Increase your knowledge about different cultural practices and issues through cultural background information sessions and/or resources and cultural awareness training.
- Understand the importance of appropriate communication.
PROGRAM DURATION
- Short Program – 1.5 to 2.0 Hours of delivery
- Long Program – 3.0 to 3.5 Hours of delivery
- One on One Programs are also available in both Face to Face or Virtual Delivery
If Culture was Chocolate you’d eat as much as you can!
Short Program – 2.0 Hours of delivery
Meduim Program – 3.0 Hours of delivery
Long Program – 4 Hour Program
Online Programs
Cultural sensitivity and awareness are important when it comes to immigration because immigration often involves people from different cultural backgrounds coming together in a new and unfamiliar environment. A strong immigration can have a number of impacts on cultural sensitivity and awareness, both positive and negative.
On the positive side, immigration can increase cultural diversity, which can be a source of enrichment and creativity. People from different cultures can bring new perspectives, ideas, and experiences that can help to broaden our understanding of the world and enhance our cultural awareness. Immigrants can also contribute to the economy and society in many ways, bringing skills, talents, and a strong work ethic that can benefit the host country.
However, a strong immigration can also lead to cultural clashes and misunderstandings if people are not culturally sensitive and aware. Immigrants may face discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion if their cultural practices and beliefs are not understood or accepted by the host community. This can lead to social tensions, conflict, and a breakdown in communication and trust between different groups.
To avoid these negative impacts, it is important for individuals and organizations to promote cultural sensitivity and awareness. This can be achieved through education and training programs, as well as through policies and practices that promote diversity, inclusion, and equity. By developing cultural competence and fostering respect and understanding for different cultures, we can create a more harmonious and welcoming environment for immigrants and host communities alike.
It takes All Types
Yes, cultural awareness does indeed require participation from all types of people. This is because cultural awareness involves recognizing and respecting the differences and similarities between people of different cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
Cultural awareness involves being open-minded and curious about other cultures, and understanding that there is no one “right” way of doing things. It requires actively seeking to understand and learn about different cultures, and being willing to challenge one’s own assumptions and biases.
By involving people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, cultural awareness can lead to greater understanding, empathy, and respect between individuals and communities. This can help to foster a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.
Main: (617) 3118 6166
LOCATIONS
SYDNEY | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE | PERTH