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CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING
What to Cover in Training
A primary starting point in training is using exercises in values
clarification so that individuals can identify personal values.
Facilitating the process of helping volunteers to define their own values is
a beginning point in helping them understand the differences in others.
One should remind volunteers that when we ignore culture, we also ignore
legitimate differences in value systems which will shape how someone
behaves. If volunteer advocates rely solely on the cultural norms
familiar to them, they will probably draw conclusions that will reflect his
or her personal bias. And though one certainly can not eliminate these
biases, it is important to recognize them and the impact they make.
To begin to identify values of a culturally different group, the resources
within your individual community will be most beneficial. Utilize
outside speakers who can identify common cultural values of a group.
Remember that no one individual can speak for an entire group and that
generalizations can be detrimental. Understanding commonly
accepted practices, particularly in family dynamics and child rearing, can
help to identify differences that volunteers need to be cognizant of and
consider when advocating for the child. Of utmost importance is
remembering that differences are not labeled good nor bad, just different.
Respect and dignity for all individuals is the key.
It is clear that the world in which we live is becoming multicultural and
that white middle-class is barely a majority in many communities.
Organizations such as United Way or a local college/university, can provide
a wealth of information on resources within your community and provide
potential speakers on cultural awareness. Utilizing community agencies
in this effort will increase your program's credibility since such
organizations will applaud your program efforts to train your volunteers to
be culturally aware and sensitive to differences.
Remember too that cultural awareness and appreciating differences pertains
to your board of directors and to your staff. Encouraging their
attendance (either as participants or as facilitators/trainers) in the
sessions you offer for advocates will communicate that cultural awareness is
important for everyone in your program. Appreciation of diversity affects
the entire operation of the program, and it is not just limited to making
good recommendations for abused and neglected children.
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