In this episode, Dr. Nashay Lowe talks with Lila Raouf, an expert in international development and emergency management, to explore the concept of cultural competency. They discuss the importance of cultural humility over mastery, the evolution of understanding cultural competency through personal experiences, and the necessity of curiosity in cross-cultural interactions. The conversation highlights the risks of lacking cultural competency in the U.S. and emphasizes the need for social cohesion. Lila shares insights from her research on refugee education and the potential for positive change in humanitarian work, concluding with a hopeful outlook for the future.

Key Takeaways

• Cultural humility is more important than cultural mastery.
• Cultural competency should be viewed as a mindset.
• Personal experiences shape our understanding of cultural competency.
• Preparation and openness are crucial in research.
• Curiosity leads to deeper understanding across cultures.
• Lack of cultural competency risks social cohesion in the U.S.
• Americans often have a different perspective on cultural norms.
• There are many ways to approach education and humanitarian work.
• Cultural competency is essential for effective leadership.
• Hope exists for positive change in humanitarian efforts. 

About Lila Raouf

Lila Raouf is a humanitarian and emergency management professional and current Fulbright Scholar at University College London, where she’s earning her MA in Education and International Development: Conflict, Emergencies, and Peace. With over a decade of experience in refugee resettlement, emergency management, and international development, Lila has led programs across FEMA, the Peace Corps, and community organizations. Lila's work and research focuses on community-driven education responses in humanitarian settings.

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilaraouf/

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