Charting a Course Through the Culture Storms: A Cautionary Tale

In our increasingly multicultural national and global societies, teaching about multiculturalism remains controversial and challenging. Based on experiences working with California's diverse population and current research in intercultural understanding, the authors describe an interactive diversity-training workshop for professionals and volunteers who work with children and youth. The workshop includes current research about intercultural understanding, an exploration of American cultural assumptions, and an opportunity for participants to identify strategies to improve their intercultural interactions. The model is based on sound adult learning theory, focuses on our capabilities rather than deficits, emphasizes our similarities rather than differences, and employs an ecological conception of culture.