Working together..

Working with people from very different cultural and language backgrounds is challenging. It is not possible to acquire the high level of cultural and linguistic knowledge necessary to communicate safely without assistance.

These are some strategies which are achievable in most work environments:

Develop collaborative relationships with members of the relevant cultural group - you can never learn all you need to know to be culturally safe - but you can learn to work collaboratively with those that do have the knowledge - healthworkers, interpreters, clients and their families.

Develop your expertise in intercultural communication:

• increase your understanding of your own communication practices and how these are influenced by your culture - socialisation, education, professional identity, gender etc.
• improve your communication practices (see Communication Guidelines for more information)
• improve your ability to work effectively with interpreters: click here for suggestions.

Click here to listen to Batumbil explain why working together is so important.

Click here for some ideas about working together from Gurimaŋu - a Yolŋu health educator.

Click here for some ideas about working together from Naomi - an occupational therapist now working as an educator with Gurimaŋu.