Bridging Cultures: A Recap of Our Intercultural Competence Online Workshop with FSTE Diploma of Applied Education Programme

We are delighted to share a recap of our recent 'Intercultural Competence Online Workshop,' held on November 19th. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Federation for Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE) for inviting CantoGather to deliver our 'CQ Workshop' to their tertiary students from various programmes for the second year in a row. It was a truly enriching experience for everyone involved!

Exploring Culture and Understanding Differences

During the 1.5-hour session, we embarked on an insightful journey, starting with a discussion about what culture means to each individual. Students participated in a dynamic cultural knowledge quiz, learning new facts and challenging their perceptions. We then delved into crucial concepts such as assumptions, stereotypes, and microaggressions, fostering a deeper understanding of their impact. A particularly impactful segment included a heartfelt sharing from a non-Chinese youth, offering personal insights into their experiences.

Engaging Virtually, Learning Deeply

Despite being a virtual session, the interaction was vibrant and engaging! We had fantastic participation from students through the chatbox and Mentimeter, creating a lively and collaborative learning environment. Many participants shared that they gained new knowledge about different cultures and, crucially, understood the importance of openness and empathy in avoiding subtle acts of microaggressions. The sharing from the non-Chinese youth's experience in growing up in Hong Kong also served as a powerful inspiration.

Building a More Inclusive Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city rich with people from diverse backgrounds, making it ever-important to equip ourselves with greater cultural knowledge and higher intercultural competence. We are thrilled to report that over 80% of participants found this workshop either 'very helpful' or 'quite helpful,' a testament to the value and relevance of these discussions. We believe that by fostering these essential skills, we can contribute to building an even more understanding and inclusive community in our vibrant city.