Introduction
The term cultural diversity simply refers to the various human societies or cultures in a specific region in any part of the world. It involves different cultures respecting each others differences and instead working together to realize a common goal. The process of enhancing cultural diversity focuses mainly on the analysis and understanding of the social blocks that create inequality.
The main objective of this is to cultivate a global society with cultural responsibility towards others, where resources will be shared equally. By doing this, all members of the society will be assured of resources both psychologically and physically (Dewey, 1998).
Empowerment of minority clients
Diversity is instrumental and vital in the process of empowering the minority in the society. Ideally this will include the majority views, affiliations, aspirations, races, aptitudes, cultures, genders and sexual orientation. Throughout the interaction of people with diverse cultures, there is a need to live and co-exist in this complex environment, with an inherent mind of justice and inclusiveness.
This diversity has its origin in the social justice. Amidst the social segregation, reality of the minority groups the entire world it is always prudent to advocate for integration. These minority groups may be segregated socially, race wise, job groups, language, eating habits and basing on many more characteristics.
However, this should not be encouraged in this modern world, but instead endowment of the diverse culture should be embraced. This is because it influences all occupations like economic, social and individual growth (Kurtz, 1997).
With the above mentioned advantages, therefore, we have the obligation of nurturing culture diversity. This will bring the various groups into mutual interaction where no economic group or an individual would even contemplate of living independently from others.
Social Empowerment
Diversity will provide opportunities for cross-cultural relationships and an integrated community life. This will indeed favor the minority groups in that they will be able to share a lot from the majority who obviously will be dominating. They will benefit from the racial and cultural richness of the majority.
Thus, by doing this the society will be established by a wide range of countries of origin, language and even religious practices. The people of this various groups will be gathering and forming friendships with time. Eventually they are challenged, moved, enriched and changed (Dewey, 1988).
In order to empower the minority group, they need to empower diversity. This assists the group to develop the skills and abilities needed to engage in pluralistic, democratic society, and in an interconnected global society. People will start developing critical thinking skills that are vital for analyzing the assertions and demands put forth in the public sphere.
Having the ability to imagine other points of view, the minority group will start attending to the social dimensions of ideas (UNESCO, 2001). In the long run, this will provide a valuable context for acquiring knowledge of the world’s cultures, hence developing the diplomatic skill of analyzing issues from different perspectives. This enables people to reason differently considering the issue at hand.
The minority group can be empowered through diversity as it advocates a sense of social responsibility. With the diverse perspectives enshrined by the community, the social injustices will easily be revealed. The social conscious dimension enables the minority group in the society to gain awareness of current social problems.
Hence, there is a motivation of participating in socially responsible initiatives and activities. Finally, the end result of this is compassion, inspiring leaders and stimulating action among the members (Dewey, 1988).
Another role played by diversity in empowering the minority is to ensure harmonious living in a diverse community. By embracing diversity people in this group are able to communicate ethically and exercise civilization.
In this case, people learn how to listen to each other with civility and humility and hence how to function as a community in continuous conversations. Without this, civilization, conflicts will be provoked without an amicable solution.
Academic empowerment
As a result, of the challenges the minority group face academically, rigorous academic inquiry becomes mandatory. Diversity facilitates critical thinking and creativity hence a strong, established foundation of intellectual inquiry and debate. Different people must learn to analyze the position of another and translate that understanding through different ways (UNESCO, 2001).
Diversity enhances a well-rounded program of study in the sense that there will be various lessons from different cultures. A good, diverse culture ensures that the minority group gains an insight into the experiences, expressions and views of others through languages, history, social science, arts and literature.
With sharing of information from various fields mentioned above, the minority group in the society becomes empowered academically (Kurtz,1997).
The establishment of an experienced –education center education through a diversified culture is a way of empowering the minority group. The approach to education in most learning institutions tends to expose learners to a variety of beliefs, ideas, customs and stories.
Through open dialogue in the learning institutions, cultural resource and the social dynamics of friendships, the learners who might be the minority gets interested. In turn, the learner becomes motivated to ask questions, pursue knowledge and compared the results with the existing ideas, hence advancement in technology.
Individual empowerment
The diversified culture helps one to enhance interpersonal skills and judgment over time without difficulties. It must be known that for one to develop intellectual and social skills making of mistakes is unavoidable. Therefore, in order to nurture the intellectual resources and healthy social interactions in a diverse community conflicts needs to be treated as opportunities for growth (UNESCO, 2001).
In a diverse community, people learn several differences like family, race, faith, politics, gender and sexual orientation. By this knowledge, an individual understands the level of importance of each hence proper communication between the groups. This assists the group not to relate principally through these differences but through personal revelations and exploration of affiliations and interests.
One is able to ultimately come to appreciate their individual capability as well other human beings. Different groups of people come together and forge a common identity with dignity and ensuring co-operation in all ways.
Another way in which the diversified culture empowers the minority group is through self-determinism. Different people are offered multiple ways to express themselves and chances of discovering themselves. This ensures that every individual is free to develop their heritage, pursue interests and build on individuality (Kurtz,1997).
Strategies to ensure empowerment of the minority group
Community commitment is one of the ways of developing the three types of empowerment amongst the minority group. By fostering the diversity culture among the community will encourage growth of people both academically, individually and socially. This will work hand in hand with provision of a health and beneficial environment.
All the people comprising of the minority group need to get the knowledge and skills about diversified working environment. To assist the clients who are the minority diversified information teaching will be put in place (Cooper, 2008).
During the process of hiring employees at various levels, the culture of intentional hiring and admissions should be exercised. This will help maintain a community that reflects diversified vision as long as non-discriminatory policies are adhered to.
Development of cross cultural skill is also a way of empowering the minority group. This is where cross cultural awareness and relational skills is cultivated amongst the minority group. It is done through civil education and communicative ethics. With this people will have the ability to understand, negotiate and appreciate the differences and similarities in social structures (Cooper, 2008).
Establishment of Educative conflict resolution centers will also contribute to minority empowerment. This will support the inter-personal relational growth and improve the perception and understanding of pertinent issues. If adhered to ethical behaviors accepted socially will be upheld.
Promotion of social responsibility towards the wider community in order to discover ways in which the minority group is excluded from the society. This strategy will ensure that the minority group expands its boundaries socially, build relationships, cultivate empathy and hence offer their services at large (Cooper, 2008).
Another strategy to be used in the empowering of the minority group is by allowing freedom of individual expression. This will create a comfortable environment for everyone hence togetherness. Furthermore, there will be an appreciation of individual potential through recognition and support where necessary.
Conclusion
The issue of cultural diversity in the work place is fundamental and requires full awareness by the involved parties. Since it is a fundamental part of the professional practice of all social workers. Thus, the call for ability and commitment to act ethically concerns anyone in the community as they are all affected whether directly or indirectly.
Reference List
Cooper, M. (2008). Essential Research Findings in Counseling and Psychotherapy: The Facts are Friendly. London: SAGE Publications.
Dewey, J. (1988). Addressing cultural complexities in practical. New York: Gateway, Press.
Kurtz, L. (1997). Help characteristics and change mechanisms in self-help and support groups. New York: ISBN Press.
UNESCO. ( 2001). Universal declaration on cultural diversity. Geneva: UNESCO Press.