Critical Challenges of Cultural Competence Professional Development

Abstract

Driven by increasing inequities in health, education and social outcomes for Aboriginal people, cultural competence professional development has become more commonplace in many organizations. There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, or cultural competence professional development workshops held throughout Australia each year. However, there is an uncertainty about whether some professional development approaches improve one’s knowledge, skills and attitudes towards diverse cultures. This article presents one of the key findings of a doctoral study which explored early years educators’ understandings of cultural competence and presents several viewpoints towards professional development. This article calls for approaches to professional development that move beyond passive transmission modes of learning towards localized, participatory models that encourage engagement with local community to privilege a diversity of voices and that also inspires critical self-reflection.