Developing Intercultural Competencies in Alberta's Small Centre Settlement & Integration Sector

This self-paced online course is designed to build, enhance and strengthen the intercultural capacity of settlement practitioners serving diverse newcomers in small centres. Participants will increase their knowledge and awareness of the newcomer experience from pre-migration, arrival, to post-migration within the context of their cultural values, norms and practices as well as historical experience. This knowledge will inform the development of an intercultural mindset and skills – communicating across cultures, building cross-cultural relationships and providing culturally responsive support to diverse newcomers in smaller centres and rural communities.

Participants Will Be Able To

  • chevron-small Build a better understanding of the history of migration and the migrant experience, including the refugee experience, and how these have impacted the lives of newcomers in Canada
  • chevron-small Recognize their own diverse and unique cultural identities and how their biases and perspectives, and the biases and perspectives of others, influence what they bring to relationships and perspectives (cultural self-awareness and cultural humility)
  • chevron-small Identify and describe different world views and cultural perspectives that influence how people think, feel and act (cultural knowledge)
  • chevron-small Use a rich repertoire of culturally appropriate skills to communicate, engage and support diverse newcomers
  • chevron-small Appreciate and understand cultural brokering as a practice that will help them bridge cultural differences in their work with newcomers and rural communities
  • chevron-small Build confidence and skills to address cultural issues at multiple points of providing services and support

Registration Information & Course Dates

We invite you to register the details of any of your staff members who are interested in undertaking the self paced course based on their choice and professional development need. Enrollment will be restricted to one course per participant.

Course Dates: February 3, 2020 – March 17, 2020

Registration Dates: January 7th, 2020 – January 20th, 2020

For Staff Members of AAISA Member Agencies

To register, please speak with your agency’s staff member who handles staff professional development. They will be able to register you into AAISA courses. Courses are free for staff of AAISA member agencies.

For Professional Development Contacts at AAISA Member Agencies

Please email pd@aaisa.ca a list of interested participants from your agency, and include the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Job Title
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Agency Name

 

For Non-AAISA Member Agencies

If you are not affiliated with an AAISA member agency, but would still like to register, please contact the AAISA Programs & Services team directly at pd@aaisa.ca. Priority will be given to AAISA member agencies. Non-member agencies will be registered on a case by case basis.

Technology Sessions

The self paced courses will be delivered on the Moodle Learning Management System. AAISA’s Learning Technology Team will facilitate two technology sessions prior to the online course so that enrolled participants can familiarize themselves in the online environment and troubleshoot any technical difficulties that may come up. These will occur via Skype and it is mandatory to attend only one of the sessions.

Technology Session 1

January 28, 2020, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Morning Session)

Technology Session 2

January 30, 2020, 1:00PM – 2:30PM (Afternoon Session)

For any technology-related issues or questions during the course, please contact technology@aaisa.ca.

Course Completion Requirements

The self paced courses will be run simultaneously from February 03, 2020 to March 17, 2020. All registered and enrolled participants will be expected to complete the course requirements by March 17, 2020. The completion of Pre-Course Learning Needs Assessment and Post-Course Evaluation is mandatory. Only participants who complete all course requirements will be awarded the AAISA Certificate of Completion in recognition of their effort and attention. We anticipate a commitment of approximately 30 hours to engage in learning activities, quizzes and discussion boards.

Note: Registered participants who are unable to complete the course must inform AAISA immediately via pd@aaisa.ca.