Cultural Competence and the National Centre for Cultural

Cultural Competence and the National Centre for Cultural Competence at the University of Sydney. Presented by Associate Professor Belinda Smith Sydney Law School Orientation Program July 2018 The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 1

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Acknowledgement of Country – We would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet; the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. It is upon their ancestral lands that the University of Sydney (Camperdown Campus) is built. – As we share our own knowledge, teaching, learning and research practices within this University may we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country. The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 3

What is cultural competence? "The essence of cultural competence is having the ability to think, thrive, work and communicate ethically and effectively in spaces where there is more than one culture in play. " Professor Shane Houston, the University's former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) “Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviours, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. ” Cross, et al. The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 4

Being culturally competent means Having the capacity to: 1. Value diversity 2. Conduct self-assessment 3. Manage the dynamics of difference 4. Acquire and institutionalise cultural knowledge 5. Adapt to diversity and the cultural context of communities you serve (Goode, T. , Jones, W. , & Mason, J. , 2002, A guide to planning and implementing cultural competence organization self-assessment, Washington DC, National Centre for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University Child Development Centre) The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 5

What is the National Centre for Cultural Competence (NCCC) at the University of Sydney? – The NCCC is part of the university, established in 2013 – To develop and integrate cultural competence University-wide. – ‘Cultural competence’ is embedded in the University’s strategic plan, including graduate attributes. – The NCCC has introduced these innovations firstly from the standpoint of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Location: Old Teachers College, Room 224 Online: www. sydney. edu. au/nccc The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 6

Universities Australia defines Indigenous cultural competence as: “Student and staff knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian cultures, histories and contemporary realities and awareness of Indigenous protocols, combined with the proficiency to engage and work effectively in Indigenous contexts congruent to the expectations of Indigenous Australian peoples. ” Guiding Principles for Developing Indigenous Cultural Competency in Australia Universities (2011) The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 7

David R Horton (creator), © Aboriginal Studies Press, AIATSIS, and Auslig/Sinclair, Knight, Merz, 1996. without permission. The University of Sydney –No Thereproduction National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 8

How does the National Centre for Cultural Competence view cultural competence? • Cultural Competence is a journey • Culture is not static; it is ever changing • Change must be systemic and embedded at all levels of an organisation (Sherwood, J. & Russell-Mundine, G. , ‘How we do business: Setting the agenda for cultural competence at the University of Sydney’ in Jack Frawley, Steve Larkin, James A. Smith, (eds) Indigenous Pathways, Transitions and Participation in Higher Education: From Policy to Practice, Springer, 2017) The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 9

How can you learn more about cultural competence and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? – Complete our online courses (in Canvas): – Aboriginal Sydney (OLE 1101) (0 and 2 credit points) – Cultural Competence: The Fundamentals (OLE 1103) (0 and 2 credit points) – Visit our Wingara Mura Research Library (Old Teachers College Room 219 A-level 2) – Complete the online Kinship Module: http: //sydney. edu. au/kinship-module/index. shtml – Take an Indigenous led tour of the University of Sydney: (http: //sydney. edu. au/museums/visit-us/toursindigenous. shtml) – Visit the NCCC website which has articles, tools, and resources: http: //sydney. edu. au/nccc/resources/articles- The University of Sydney – The National Centre for Cultural Competence Page 10