Cultural Diversity Topics
Cultural diversity is an experience that happens when you have people with different backgrounds, education, geographic origins, religious and or social beliefs all living or working in the same environment. A person's primary cultural beliefs, attitudes, traditions and mindsets will help define or guide that person's decision-making in conducting day-to-day life. Some cultural diversity topics include the commonality of being human, how cultural differences affect workplace decisions, tolerance, and community educational needs.
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Mankind Commonalities vs. Cultural Differences
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All cultures and subcultures have different ways of solving problems and approaching various social issues. A group can discuss what it means to be part of the human race and find commonalities with basic human needs. Then the group can discuss ways of identifying how those needs are met within the different cultures and common ways of approaching all of them.
Identify Our Own Thinking
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Teaching people to be aware of their own individual thinking on cultural matters can go a long way in helping to embrace or educate the individual on the different needs or mindsets of cultures that differ from the ones he or she currently has. Have everyone look at a set of pictures of either optical illusions or of people doing normal everyday things like eating or walking. Go around the room and identify how each person "saw" those pictures. You'll also see how others come to the discussion with a different way of seeing the exact same scenario. This awareness can foster sensitivity.
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Neutral Topics
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Focusing a discussion on cultural diversity on a neutral environment or situation can set the stage for a "safe" environment in which it's okay to share culture experiences with others in a group. For example, discuss how a person who lives in a poorer neighborhood who may not have finished high school may approach a solution to neighborhood problems compared to a highly educated and very wealthy person who has never lived in a poor neighborhood. Discuss how people from one country might work with those in another country when expanding their business operations into that new country. Discuss how educational needs can be met when dealing with a society that perhaps does not embrace or value the need for education.
Community Education
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A diversity council or group could be formed that is specifically made up of culturally diverse individuals with the intent to work together to educate communities about culturally diverse issues. Make it possible that a person can join this group without relinquishing her personal beliefs. Discussion topics can include holding seminars that teach people how to not stereotype others, how to communicate and challenge their own thinking while being supportive of different view points, or how to practice tolerance within a community.
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References
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