1. SGTM 5 B Attitudes & Behaviour “Cultural Awareness”
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

2. Structure of Presentation
What is Culture?
Understanding Cultural differences
Dealing with Cultural differences
Case studies
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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

3. through which experience is interpreted and carried out
Culture
A shared system of
meanings,
beliefs,
values
behaviours
through which experience is interpreted and carried out
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

4. Culture Is .. Relative Learned Collective Changes over time
Complex responsive process
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

5. Forces Shaping Individual Culture
Personal Culture
Values
World-views
Beliefs
Behaviours
Urbanization
Migration
Minority Experience
Cross-cultural Adjustments
Profession
Gender
Language
Education
Industrialization
Social background
Ethnic background
Religion
Nationalism
Colonisation
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

6. Dangers! Stereotypes Prejudice Ethno-centric perspectives
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

7. SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

8. SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

10. Culture – In Peace Operations
Civilians – Civilians (International)
International actors Local communities
CULTURE
Military – Military (International)
Military – Civilians (Organizational)
Local Communities
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

11. Understanding Cultural differences
Eating habits
Asia - chop sticks
Europe - knife and fork
Clean right hand in some countries
Common plate
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

12. Understanding Cultural differences
Eating habits
Beef
Pork
Horse
“Everything that moves”
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

13. Understanding Cultural differences
Eating habits
Pork not eaten by Muslims for religious reasons
Christians keep horses, dogs and cats as pets
Fish is neutral
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

14. Understanding Cultural differences
Religion
Religion – an important place in many societies
Knowledge of religion of host nation very important
Respect religious beliefs
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

15. Understanding Cultural differences
Family and Gender
Elders are highly respected in some cultures
Understand family ties
Different gender beliefs and views
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

16. Understanding Cultural differences
Communication
Language is culture specific
Avoid use of idiomatic expressions
Humour
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

17. Understanding Cultural differences
Body Language
Gesture/body language have different meanings
Smile will never be misunderstood
Polite handshake is accepted in most cultures
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

18. Understanding Cultural differences
Dress Code
Depends on culture, customs, traditions and climate
Adapt to local customs
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

19. Understanding Cultural differences
Traffic
Peacekeeper die in traffic accidents
Different traffic conditions
Respect local traffic laws
Adapt to local conditions
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

20. Understanding Cultural differences
Time
People have different concept of time
Need to understand
“You have the clock, we have the time”
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

21. Building Cultural Awareness
Understand your own culture
Understand and accept logic of other cultural frameworks
Cultural differences as unique and creative problem-solving opportunity
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

22. Host Country’s Culture
Knowledge of history, culture, customs and traditions
Background for the conflict
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

23. Cultural Shock Unfamiliar: Adaptation process Language Climate
Currency
Road signs
Colleagues
Adaptation process
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

24. The Adaptation Stages Honeymoon Initial confrontation
Adjustment crisis
Recovery
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

25. The Adaptation Stages STAGE SITUATION APPROACH REACTION Honeymoon
First exciting contact with new culture
Observe
Excitement;
Curiosity;
Slight concern
Initial confrontation
First intensive feeling with new culture
Solve problems in familiar ways
Confusion;
Mystified about;
Others behaviour
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

26. The Adaptation Stages STAGE SITUATION APPROACH REACTION
Adjustment crisis
Problems intensify
Experimentation with new behaviours
Frustration;
Anger;
Confusion about
Recovery
Sense of belonging to culture emerges
New strategies to help one function effectively
New culture is understandable;
Enjoying many aspect of it
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

27. Maintaining Good Relations
Between military and civilian
With other military contingents
Team work
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

28. you will always be fine”
Cultural Awareness
“If you are
Humble
Respectful
Friendly
you will always be fine”
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

29. Case Studies The market place The toilet experience
To walk hand in hand
Movement control at the airport
The gift
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

30. Summary
Cultural awareness is increased by giving you the most common examples
This is the first step to handle cultural differences positively, avoid conflicts due to misperception and to make you interact positively with host cultures
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

31. Summary
Closely related to “Code of Conduct”, where you get written rules.
In culture you may find few written rules, but make sure, you know and obey them
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

32. Questions ?
SGTM
TES / Mil Div / DPKO