The Colorful nation of Canada- Understanding Diversity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2l36l7Qrek
The above video exemplifies what Canada looks like today in terms of diversity.
What were your thoughts about the facts and figures expressed in the video?
Did you know that this is the current immigration situation?
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(Answers to be typed in the chat forum within the webinar- the session's moderator will compile discussion points)
What is Cultural Diversity?
Question: What does Cultural Diversity include?
(Type your thoughts into the chat box and click submit)
A person’s culture determines his/her:
• Beliefs – about how the world works and how people should interact
• Behaviours – including gestures, use of eye contact, facial expressions, manner of dress, and rituals for greetings
• Values – what is considered important, such as family or personal life, career, religion, and social responsibility
We learn culture from many different sources using different methods, all of which are culturally driven, whether we learn this information when we are children, or now as adults, formally or informally. Some sources of culture include:
• Parents
• Family members
• Neighbourhood and community members
• Educational institutions
• Social institutions
• Religious situations
• The media
• Written documentation
• Observation of others in our own culture
• Historic legends and stories
These cultural forces influence virtually everything we do. They help us form our beliefs, thoughts, and how we act as individuals and as members of a group.
Yet, we rarely think about these influences.
Take a moment to realize this for yourself:
How often do you think each day about the language you speak, the actions you take, the material items you value, or your attitude towards others?
If you are like most people, not very often. Yet when we come into contact with a person or group of people from a different culture, we are often reminded – sometimes even shocked into awareness – by our own values, beliefs, and likes or dislikes.
When we have this reaction, we are commonly experiencing an emotional cultural barrier, so that we are interpreting a behaviour from our own cultural lens, while the other person is acting out of his or her own cultural framework.
Culture can be defined not only at a national level, but also at the regional, organizational, or group level. For example, people working in a large banking environment may have a significantly different culture than a group of people working at a software development company.
Therefore, culture can also be described as beliefs, behaviours, and values held collectively within a group, organization, region, or nation.
The above video exemplifies what Canada looks like today in terms of diversity.
What were your thoughts about the facts and figures expressed in the video?
Did you know that this is the current immigration situation?
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................
(Answers to be typed in the chat forum within the webinar- the session's moderator will compile discussion points)
What is Cultural Diversity?
Question: What does Cultural Diversity include?
(Type your thoughts into the chat box and click submit)
A person’s culture determines his/her:
• Beliefs – about how the world works and how people should interact
• Behaviours – including gestures, use of eye contact, facial expressions, manner of dress, and rituals for greetings
• Values – what is considered important, such as family or personal life, career, religion, and social responsibility
We learn culture from many different sources using different methods, all of which are culturally driven, whether we learn this information when we are children, or now as adults, formally or informally. Some sources of culture include:
• Parents
• Family members
• Neighbourhood and community members
• Educational institutions
• Social institutions
• Religious situations
• The media
• Written documentation
• Observation of others in our own culture
• Historic legends and stories
These cultural forces influence virtually everything we do. They help us form our beliefs, thoughts, and how we act as individuals and as members of a group.
Yet, we rarely think about these influences.
Take a moment to realize this for yourself:
How often do you think each day about the language you speak, the actions you take, the material items you value, or your attitude towards others?
If you are like most people, not very often. Yet when we come into contact with a person or group of people from a different culture, we are often reminded – sometimes even shocked into awareness – by our own values, beliefs, and likes or dislikes.
When we have this reaction, we are commonly experiencing an emotional cultural barrier, so that we are interpreting a behaviour from our own cultural lens, while the other person is acting out of his or her own cultural framework.
Culture can be defined not only at a national level, but also at the regional, organizational, or group level. For example, people working in a large banking environment may have a significantly different culture than a group of people working at a software development company.
Therefore, culture can also be described as beliefs, behaviours, and values held collectively within a group, organization, region, or nation.