Understanding Cultural Diversity

Creating a climate where cultural diversity flourishes is much more than engaging with the statutory sector or the big voluntary and private sector organisations. Diversity is judged on how communities themselves are involved in the process and over a period of time how they learn to appreciate, value, and live and breathe diversity. This comfort in cultural diversity is not easily achieved. In many areas it involves difficult decisions and a change in historical practices. There is often the reality of resistance from small community organisations and also the communities themselves. But doing nothing only stores up problems for the future. PeaceMaker’s community training will take small organisations on a journey in which they gain both the tools and desire to deliver their services across communities. The training will ensure that as these organisations change and develop, it will not be at the expense of existing service users. In fact we have found that if promoted appropriately, existing service users will embrace the change and learn to value new opportunities for positive interaction with people from different backgrounds.

PeaceMaker has a strong history of supporting small community organisations in appreciating and valuing the diversity that enhances their service delivery. PeaceMaker’s training does not judge people, nor does it force people to change. What it does is provide small organisations and the communities that they serve with an opportunity to discuss, debate and understand issues of cultural diversity.We build on the valuable work organisations are already doing and support them to better engage with a wider range of people who live within their target communities.

Training packages are realistically tailored to community organisations’ needs. PeaceMaker itself emerged as a small community organisation and understands the concerns of funding, staff availability and existing levels of understanding amongst staff, volunteers and service users.