(M25) Cultural Competency Education: A Challenge for the Humanitarian Workforce

Abstract

Introduction:

“Cultural Competency” is an increasingly important skill required by the humanitarian workforce. Reviews and evaluations of recent major international events criticize tiie lack of cultural competency skills among foreign aid workers. This paper reviews two frameworks in the international literature to propose a model for cultural competency education in the humanitarian workforce.

Methods:

The framework for disaster health, developed by the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) Education Committee, and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Councils (NHMCR) “Cultural Competency in Health: A Guide for Policy, Partnership and Preparation” (2006) were used as frameworks for this review. A meta-review of the literature was conducted to identify cultural considerations in disaster management.

Results:

A definition of cultural competence was adopted from a range of theoretical models. Both the WADEM model, which includes the “Socio political, cultural context”, and the NHMRC model, which describes four dimensions for actions (systemic, organizational, professional, and the individual), identify key principles. Using these principles informed by the literature review, a model is proposed to foster culturally competent behavior incorporating all four dimensions.

Conclusions:

The model argues that “everyone” is responsible for culturally appropriate and responsive management. This review makes explicit the importance of cultural competency skills in the humanitarian workforce and provides a model, underpinned by contemporary frameworks, to address this challenge.