Recently a team from the NC Conference of the UMC has been trained to become Qualified Administrators of the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory). The purpose of the team is to implement a tool that will build a bridge of intercultural competence to help the NCCUMC to achieve diversity and inclusion goals and outcomes.
There are a number of individuals and groups from within our conference who are currently using this tool. They have found it helpful in giving individuals a developmental assessment of their intercultural competence. Basically, it helps individuals better understand how we engage in cultural differences and helps us to consider ways that we can better engage diversity. No one is completely accomplished in this work, and everyone has areas of growth potential.
As we gain a better understanding of where we are on the continuum and recognize where we aspire to be, we are able to put practical steps in place to help us learn and grow. We must first learn our capability for shifting cultural perspective; adapt behavior toward cultural differences and commonalities so we are able to then create a customized Intercultural Development Plan. Once we learn that, we can set goals to deepen our intercultural competence in bridging across diverse communities.
In the coming months, leaders from a number of ministry areas within our conference will be exploring how we can utilize this tool for groups and individuals throughout our connection as we create opportunities to learn and grow together. As more people utilize the same tools we will increase our capacity to meet our common goals.
If you are a part of a group in your local church or community who is interested in learning, growing and increasing your intercultural competence together, please reach out to ask how our team of recently trained Qualified Administrators can serve you and help you towards your goals.
I can share from personal experience with this tool, it’s been really helpful as I strive to better understand people from different cultures and grow to become a bridge between diverse communities. I invite you to consider joining me in this journey.
Peace y’all,
Claire
To print or share this message, you are encouraged to use this pdf:
Claire – The Value of Increasing Intercultural Competency
To read past editions – you are encouraged to follow this link:
https://capitaldistrictnc.org/claire-ificaton/
