Description
The purpose of this service is to support center staff members as they create their own cultural orientation and awareness programs with the overall aim of establishing a truly multicultural work environment. G&D recommends that national staff have a leading role in this work. A compilation of good practice and cultural orientation methods is provided by G&D (see 'G&D Resources' below), but staff members' own ideas and creativity is encouraged. Resulting products may include videos and brochures appropriate for the induction of new staff.
Estimated cost
US$2-3,000
Related outcomes/benefits
- Initiates an ongoing discussion about mutual respect, who should adapt to whom, "cultural intelligence," and the basic ground rules for working together effectively and appropriately.
- Assists internationally-recruited staff and management to understand and interact more effectively with their site's host culture.
- Identifies the ways in which cultural differences can enhance and hinder effectiveness within an individual Center.
- Contributes to a discussion about developing Center-specific behavioral norms and distinguishes between cultural differences (e.g. on women's roles) and unacceptable behavior.
- Gives national staff a voice in defining the center's organizational culture.
G&D Resources
• Tuning In: Guidelines for Creating In-House Cultural Orientation and Awareness. G&D Working Paper No 26. (736 KB)
• Workshop Summary: "CG Centers Working with Diversity for Excellence and Impact". ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya, 18-22 September 2000. G&D Working Paper No 27. (1,158 KB)
• Working with Diversity: A Framework for Action. G&D Working Paper No 24. (994 KB)
G&D's Cybrary of Best Links on Diversity and Multiculturalism.
PDF Brief on In-House Cultural Orientation (61 KB)
