“Counsellors have two choices: to ignore the influence of culture or to attend to it. Whatever choice is made, cultural will continue to influence both the client’s and the counsellor’s behaviour, with or without the counsellor’s awareness.” Pedersen, 1994. Diversity is the one true thing we all have in Common. Celebrate it every day. All People have the right to be equal and the equal right to be different. --Shimon Peres

1. Note on Multiculturalism
Chan Kwok Bong
Why Culture should be of concern?
1. Technological Advancement: we live closer and meet more people.
2. Identity of people: We are the same / They are different.
What is Culture?
1. As makeup of a person: History, Gender, Race, Religion, Socio-economic Background
2. As Present Context of people life: Social and Political Realities, Timespirits
3. As Creation of the Future Life: when different cultures meet
4. Cultural differences and Level of Acculturation
Cultural Aspects:
1. Power Distance
2. Uncertainty Avoidance
3. Individualism – collectivism
4. Masculinity and Femininity
Religious Aspects:
1. Individualism – collectivism: e.g. Love, Family
2. Social Arrangements, Social Status, Power Structure: e,g. Dharma  Caste (Hindu)
3. Social Life e.g. Ramadan (Muslim)
4. Causality Attribution: e.g. Yuen( Buddhist), Karma (Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh), Sin(Christianity)
5. Past and Future: e.g. Rebirth & Reincarnation, Nirvana (Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh)
Multicultural as an approach: To Recognize and Embrace Diversity
1. Cultural Awareness: Awareness of own cultural background.
2. Cultural Empathy: The quality of curiosity about, or empathy towards, the cultural world of others
which is built upon the similar attitude of one’s culture.
3. Cultural Flexibility: Willingness and abilities to match the cultural styles of clients.
Cultural Informed / Cultural Sensitive Practices in students’ guidance
1. Welcome Diversity
2. There is no single concept of normal / Don’t take it for granted
3. Learn own cultural background and its influences
4. Identify own assumptions / examine sources of knowledge about diverse cultural groups
5. Allow clients to teach you more / Check with Clients
6. Willingness to talk about cultural issues
7. Take History into account while understand client present experience
8. Link client issues with social / political realities
9. Use culturally aware language / culturally inclusive language
10. Recognize the importance of being flexible in applying methods and techniques
“Counsellors have two choices: to ignore the influence of culture or to attend to it. Whatever choice
is made, cultural will continue to influence both the client’s and the counsellor’s behaviour, with or
without the counsellor’s awareness.” Pedersen, 1994.
Diversity is the one true thing we all have in Common. Celebrate it every day.
All People have the right to be equal and the equal right to be different. --Shimon Peres
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