National Centre for Cultural Competence - Cultural Competence Online Modules

The National Centre for Cultural Competence – Cultural Competence Online Modules aim to encourage individuals’ confidence, motivation, and knowledge in developing cultural competence capabilities as well as increase culturally competent practices in organisations across the country.

These modules offer a range of research-based educational resources, insights from academics and community members as well as reflective activities. The course is one of the University of Sydney’s most effective internal professional development programs and we are proud to now offer the Cultural Competence Modules to the public.

Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that these modules may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Outcomes

• Develop an understanding of what cultural competence is and why it is important.
• Develop cultural competence capabilities, ensuring more effective and respectful interactions in cross-cultural relationships in the workplace and beyond.
• Explore strategies to inspire cultural change and strong cultural competence throughout an organisation.
• Examine identity as an individual, gaining invaluable insight into self within a wider social context.
• Learn strategies to recognise and challenge racism within the workplace and beyond.
• Learn from the historical and contemporary context of Redfern and its importance as a birthplace of contemporary Aboriginal self-determination.

What is cultural competence?

Cultural competence is the ability to participate ethically and effectively in personal and professional intercultural settings. It requires being aware and critically self-reflective of your own socialisation and world view, and how these impact on your ability to make respectful, reflective, and reasoned choices, including the capacity to imagine and collaborate across cultural boundaries. Cultural competence is, ultimately, about valuing diversity for the richness and creativity it brings to society.

Content

Introduction

Welcome by the Director of the National Centre for Cultural Competence, Professor Jennifer Barrett.

Module 1: Journey of self-discovery

Explore your identity as an individual within a wider social context. Participants will gain insight into strategies to strengthen their resilience.

• Topic 1: Introduction
• Topic 2: Who are you?
• Topic 3: How do you see the world?
• Topic 4: Cultural Competence and resilience

Module 2: What do we mean by cultural competence?

Learn about cultural competence and develop your self-reflection

• Topic 1: Introduction
• Topic 2: What is culture?
• Topic 3: How can I develop my cultural competence?

Module 3: Racism runs deep

Examine the importance of building your cultural competence to combat racism. This module aims to provide you with an understanding of different forms of racism, as well as strategies to recognise and challenge racism.

• Topic 1: Introduction
• Topic 2: What is racism?
• Topic 3: Why are we racist?
• Topic 4: How to recognise and address racism
• Topic 5: Racism in the workplace

Module 4: Know your world. See my world

Develop your capacity for critical self-reflection. This module will provide you with ideas to integrate what you have learnt into action, enabling you to interact more effectively in cross cultural relationships. This module also explores how organisations can address cultural competence in their operations.

• Topic 1: Introduction
• Topic 2: Know your world
• Topic 3: Walking into our story
• Topic 4: See my world
• Topic 5: Continuing the Journey

Module 5: Aboriginal self-determination in Sydney

The final module explores the historical and contemporary context of Redfern, the contribution of Aboriginal Peoples who came to live there, and its importance as a place of continuing Aboriginal self-determination.

• Topic 1: Introduction
• Topic 2: Bujari Gammarruwa – Welcome
• Topic 3: This is Gadigal Land
• Topic 4: Redfern tour
• Topic 5: Connecting to community
• Topic 6: Redfern and Aboriginal self-determination
• Topic 7: Conclusion

Intended audience

The NCCC – Cultural Competence Modules are suitable for those seeking to develop their understanding of cultural competence, expand their capabilities to lead organisational change, and learn strategies to recognise and challenge racism. It is relevant for organisations, teams, managers, and individuals seeking to improve cultural competence in the workplace and across wider social contexts.

Delivery style

Delivered as a self-paced, five-part online course, accessed through an online Learning Management System (Canvas). Each module is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

The modules consist of:

• videos introducing and exploring each concept
• reflective activities to reinforce the concepts learned
• interactive activities
• research-focused educational resources.

This course is considered non-award under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and does not provide any official certification from the University of Sydney. Once all modules are completed, you will be issued a Statement of Completion.

Materials

Course materials will be accessed online following enrolment.

You will need your own device with a strong internet connection, such as a laptop or desktop computer. This course is managed through a Learning Management System (Canvas). Once enrolled, you will be provided with login details.

University of Sydney Staff

Cultural competence is considered an important professional competency at the University of Sydney. All staff at the University of Sydney are encouraged to undertake the NCCC Cultural Competence eModules offered through WorkDay. WorkDay can be accessed through the staff intranet.

Recommended resources

Adichie, C. The danger of a single story

Di Angelo, R. (2018) White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for White people to talk about racism, Beacon Press, Boston.

Racism stops with me

Sensoy, Ö, and DiAngelo, R. (2011) Is everyone really equal? An introduction to key concepts in social justice education. New York City: Teachers College Press. See Chapter 2: ‘Socialisation’ (p. 14-27).

Walker R, Schultz C & Sonn C. (2014). Chapter 12: Cultural competence—transforming policy, services, programs and practice. In: Dudgeon P, Milroy H & Walker R (eds). Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 195–220.