D 1. Cross-Cultural Competencies in Information & Referral
Level: Intermediate
Settlement work is all about serving and understanding others and an awareness of one’s self is the first step to understanding others. People who are secure in their own identity can act with freedom, flexibility and openness toward people from different backgrounds. This interactive session will explore the importance that diversity and cross-cultural communication play in the settlement, acclimatization, adaptation and integration process as well as identifying essential information and referral skills for settlement workers. We will discuss systemic barriers to accessing services that relate to an ethnic/racial/religious/cultural background which creates additional vulnerability for clients. The session will provide suggestions on how to speak with clients in a cross-cultural context. We will address seven ways to guide your conversations in directions that are more satisfying for both you and your clients. A video entitled “Understanding Client Diversity” will also be shown.
Faed Hendry is a Certified Information & Referral Specialist who is Manager of Community Information and Training with Findhelp Information Services in Toronto. He has also served as the Chairperson for both the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) Standards and Accreditation Committees and is currently AIRS Vice-President. In his spare time, he volunteers as a youth soccer coach with the East York Soccer Club.
