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Q: What is culture?
A: All individuals have a cultural framework that they adhere to.
Culture is often described as the patterns of behavior and thinking
that a particular group of people shares. Culture influences everything
we do, whether conscious or unconscious. The language we speak,
style of dress, our interaction with others, how we respond to
illness, our belief systems, rituals, art and food preparation
are all a part of our culture. People groups and cultures are very
different around the world, but as the world grows smaller through
technology and global movement, cultural interactions become more
and more prevalent.
To learn more about culture, visit Encarta Encyclopedia.
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Q: What is cultural competence?
A: “Cultural competence or being culturally competent is the
ability and the will to respond to the unique needs of an individual
client that arise from the client’s culture and the ability
to use the person’s culture as a resource or tool to assist
with the [interaction] and to help meet the person’s needs.” *
* “Guidelines for Culturally Competent Organizations,” 2nd
edition, May 2004
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Q: How can I become more culturally competent?
A: Cultural competence is personal pursuit that requires openness
and a long-term commitment, so be patient with yourself. You may
need to look for opportunities to practice cultural competency.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Dispel any preconceived stereotypes you may have of individuals from
other cultures. Be respectful and open when meeting someone from
a different culture.
- Take the time to learn about a different
culture group that is new to your community. What language do they speak?
What country
do they come from? What foods do they eat? Festivals? Religion? What brought
them here?
- Host a foreign exchange student.
- Volunteer as an ESL teacher
or assistant.
- Invite a neighborhood family from a different culture
over to share a meal.
- Attend community events and festivals related
to other cultures.
- Learn a new language - take an introductory
language course through community education.
- When traveling out
of the country, learn as much as you can about the culture of
the country you are visiting before traveling;
immerse yourself in the local culture upon arrival.
- Visit some
of our links listed under Cultural Competency .
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Q: How can I incorporate cultural competence into my business practices
and train my staff to be more culturally aware?
A: Here are a few ideas to point you in the right direction:
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Offer diversity or cultural training for all employees.
- Develop a comprehensive
strategy to identify and address culturally and linguistically appropriate
services, including goals, policies,
procedures, designated contact person, etc.
- Promote ongoing
support for the attitudes, behaviors and skills necessary for
staff to work respectfully and effectively in a culturally
diverse work environment.
- Speak the language, or use a trained interpreter
for better communication with LEP clients.
- Translate and make
available signage and commonly used written material into the
predominant language groups.
- Hire culturally diverse staff.
- Record your company telephone
greeting in various languages as needed by clientele.
- Decorate
with pictures and artifacts from various cultures.
- Visit some
of our links listed below.
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Q: How can I learn more about the different
culture groups in Minnesota?
A: Although we have many different culture groups in MN, some of
the largest groups include Hmong, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese,
Cambodian, Laotian, Russian and Croatian. There are also other
groups whose needs are growing such as Nuer, Oromo and Amharic.
Please browse the following websites for more information on specific
groups:
Hmong Culture:
Hmong Cutural Center
Minnesota
Public Radio Article
Lao Family
Community of Minnesota
Hmong Times
Hennepin
County
Somali Culture:
Hennepin
County
Minnesota
Dept of Human Rights, Somali
Minnesota
Dept of Human Rights, Islam
University
of Wisconsin
Spanish Culture:
Children’s
Hospitals and Clinics of MN
Dairy
Initiatives
Chicanos Latinos Unidos
en Servicio (Clues)
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Q: What other Cross Cultural and Multilingual Resources are available?
A: See any of the links below:
National Council on Interpreting in HealthCare
Multilingual Health Resources Exchange
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Diversity Rx
National Multicultural Institute
Minority Health Program
Race, Health Care and the Law
Cross Cultural Care Health Care Program
Minnesota Department of
Health
Minnesota Department of
Human Services
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Transcultural Nursing Society
Center for Victims of Torture
Intercultural Communication Institute
The Center for Cross-Cultural Health
Program in Translation & Interpreting,
U of M |
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