Date: December 10, 2015
Location: SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver

Cultural Safety ensures that service providers become respectful of all aspects of culture including (history, values, gender, socioeconomic status). Service providers should also acknowledge that their own cultural beliefs and attitudes have the potential, consciously or unconsciously, to influence the power balance with their clients and each other. Cultural safety is understood to mean there is no damage or harm by interactions between people and that dignity and respect are maintained for all parties in an interaction (Gurm & Cheema, 2013). Cultural safety on a continuum comes after cultural competence and proficiency but it is not about a checklist or memorizing different norms based on ethnicity.  It is about understanding the person in front of you, creating trust and working together with the person so that your interactions do no harm to the individual. The major constructs to consider are historical oppressions and power in relationships.

Presentation: Cultural Safety: What is it? – Dr. Balbir Gurm, RN, Ed.D (Leadership & Policy, UBC), BScN, MA

Presentation: What does Cultural Safety Organization Look Like? –  Jas Cheema, Diversity/Community Engagement Consultant

Q & A Session