Recently I've done a number of presentations on cultural competency. While it's a topic that I've been interested in for a long time (it's a main reason that I have a graduate degree in Anthropology) my interest has been rekindled lately with the work I'm doing in the Middle East.
The population of the United States is expected to change significantly. The US Census bureau projects that by 2050, only 50% of the population will identify themselves as white, compared to 69% in 2000. The Census Bureau also projects that by 2050, the HIspanic/Latino population of the United States will increase to 132.8 million, representing 30% of the population.
The countries surrounding the Arabian Gulf have some of the most multicultural societies in the world. In the UAE for example, somewhere between 80% and 95% of the population is estimated to be foreign depending on which report, which Emirate, and what time period is being considered.
Clearly cultural competency is an issue in many parts of the world.
In upcoming blogs I will delve into the topic of cultural competency more. For now, I'd like to close with a definition of cultural competency promulgated by the Office of Minority Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services (adapted from Cross, 1989):
Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.
Culture’ refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups.
Competence implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.