Multicultural Competence: The Intersect of Domestic Diversity and International Programming

Initiatives

Mary Andrews,Michigan State University

Kelli Selby, Purdue University

Isabel Hanson, Penn State University

What is Multiculturalism, or interculturalism?

• Understanding one’s culture

• Understanding one’s self

• Oppressive behaviors• Cultural differences• Becoming

comfortable with alternative cultures

• Diversity• Civil rights/EEO

• Impact of culture on social issues

• Recognizing stereotypes and biases

• Valuing differences• Understanding one’s

place in the world or how others see you

• Pluralistic life

Multiculturalism

• Understanding ethnic differences within the U.S. and, in particular, to various efforts to transform the curriculum to reflect the cultures and social groups represented in the U.S. (Bennett & Bennett, 1994)

• theory and practice that promotes the peaceful coexistence of multiple races, ethnicities, and cultures in a given society, celebrating and sustaining language diversity, religious diversity, and social equity.

What is Internationalism?• International exposure

through travel• Exploring global

interdependence and interconnectedness

• Skill building for staff• Bringing new ideas home• Recognizing

commonalities and differences

• Removes mask of politics• Recognizing private vs.

public acts of American behavior

• Exchange of knowledge• Developing networks,

colleagues, and partners• Learning new approaches

to use at home• Educating the public

about global issues• Learning to make better

national and international policy decisions

• Global citizenship• Dispelling myths

Internationalism

• Global vision/identity

• Unity and diversity of human kind

• Universal rights

• Globalization/interdependence

• International cooperation

• Development of world-mindedness

• Intergenerational Responsibility

• Processes of development

How do they intersect?

• Domestic Diversity• Both require sensitivity to

differences• Economic justice and

opportunities• Mutual benefits• Ensuring access &

participation in civil society• Encompasses various bodies

of knowledge (technical/social/human interaction)

• Effects of trade on culture

• Internationalism• Impact of culture on social

issues• Both require understanding of

self and others• Impact of oppressive

behaviors affects both domestically/globally

• Exchange of knowledge• Language as tool of

communication• Cause and effect?• Goals of both are to achieve

higher level of peace and harmony

How do they intersect?

• Domestic Diversity– Multicultural Sensitivity– Dealing with “isms”– Supporting

“inclusively”– Serving the

underserved

• Internationalization– Multicultural Sensitivity– Exposure/learning– Dealing w/

Globalization• Economy• People/cultures• Environment• Security

– Interdependence

Interface

• “Numerous educators and researchers maintain that an effective way to develop multicultural competence is through immersion in a foreign culture.”

(Anders, 2001; Berwick& Whalley, 200; Douglas & Jones-Rikkers, 2001; Gorka & Niesenbaum, 2001; Inglis, Rolls, & Kristy, 2000; Ollif, 2001)

Interface

• Having knowledge of one own’s values and cultural “baggage” is necessary to be responsive to others in different cultures.

• Cross-cultural competence is necessary to be useful abroad.

Interface

• “Each is working on a fundamentally similar issue – the appreciation of differences as it is manifested in both subjective and objective cultural terms. In addition, each group is increasingly committed to social justice, shared privilege, and inclusivity.”

(Bennett & Bennett, 1994)

Why should Extension utilize both areas?

• Funding• Long term benefits• Less difference

between the two as our world shrinks

• Demonstrate impact to local level

• Leverage one effort with the other (i.e. trade to cultural focus)

• If all educators have multicultural competence, we could better plan for the future

• Academically, it’s an area we must be competent in to carry out our mission appropriately

Why should Extension utilize both areas?

• “In any event, most components of international education undervalue culture. Yet these cultural schemes help diagnose problems, knowledge gaps, relationships, behavioral tendencies, and such variables as trust, cynicism, acceptance of new ideas, resistance to absorbing new knowledge…”

(Mestenhauser, 1998)

How does Extension capitalize on the

international/multicultural intersect?

How does Extension capitalize on the

international/multicultural intersect?

Issues → Opportunities

Applications:• Hiring and employment procedures• Core competencies• Performance evaluations & rewards

• Structurally, combine i/m• Include interview questions• Make it an expectation in your prof. development• Include/promote it in the promotion/tenure

process• Reinvigorating careers – new audiences/settings

Applications:

• Capacity Building– Staff development training (in-state)– Teamwork– Special assignments/projects

– Language training/resources– International assignments & travel programs– Training needed more than “superficial” level– Hosting international visitors/interns in the

county offices

Applications:

• International engagement:– Collaborations– Assignments– Study tours– Exchanges– Linkages

– Support from county boards/public necessary – how to develop “buy-in” on the local level on a long-term basis

Applications:

• International and multicultural advisory structures– Networks– Partnerships

Applications:

• Serving new immigrants– Helping communities adjust– Educating the public– Running interference with “bureaucracies”– Adapting educational/technical outreach

Applications:

• International trade/economic development– Understanding global forces– Recognizing vulnerabilities– Supporting local industries in export

development/diversifying to stay healthy– Public affairs education/involvement

Applications:

• Social justice– Acting inclusively– Recognizes biases/injustices– Running interference– Acting to change policies/practices

Parting Thought“Global education is much more than having international campuses or exchange programs…It is an education that ensures our educators and clientele will be able to succeed in a world marked by interdependence, diversity and rapid change.”

“Most importantly, a global education is one that enables educators and clientele to understand their roles in a global community and teaches them how their actions can affect citizens throughout the world… Global education places a premium on the ability to think critically and ethically.”

(Adapted from Farleigh Dickinson University, 2003)