What is cultural competence?

Cultural competence is the ability to participate ethically and effectively in personal and professional intercultural settings. 

It requires knowing and reflecting on one’s own cultural values and world view and their implications for making respectful, reflective, and reasoned choices, including the capacity to imagine and collaborate in cross cultural contexts.

Cultural competence is ultimately about valuing diversity for the richness and creativity it brings to society.   

With a growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, almost half of all Australians having both parents or one of them born overseas, and a range of other factors affecting the cultural makeup of our society, we are living in an increasingly diverse global community.

More often, we are called on to work, learn and teach in situations where there is more than one culture at play. Acquiring the capacity, knowledge and experience necessary to create effective and ethical relationships in diverse cultural environments is crucial.

Header image: CCLP in Murramurrang, South Durras (by Michael Johnston).