The following checklist is a guide to asking questions about yourself and others. This will help you identify similarities and differences that will lead to working more effectively in your cross-cultural work environment.

VALUES AND BELIEFS –

What do they mean for our behaviour, work practices, approach to issues such as health promotion?

What are shared, how do they differ, what do I / others find difficult to accept?
What is expected – societal / UN / individual?
How do these differ between locals/ between locals & Internationals?
What happens when these expectations are not met?
What is the role of religion – types of religion, influences and practices?
What cultural / ethnic groups exist and what are the roles within those?

GENDER:

What are the implications of the culturally specific gender roles and expectations for:

Our behaviour?
Work practices?
Provision of goods and services?
Opportunities for employment, education and political participation?
Approach to counselling?
Seeking feedback?
Making a complaint?
Dealing with issues such as sexual abuse, harassment, promotion of health practices, e.g., HIV/AIDS?