Address
53 Westholme Street
Christchurch 8052

Contact person:
Helen Gibson

Email address:
gibsonh@xtra.co.nz
Phone/fax
03 3525774

Description:
I facilitate mainly Kiwi/mainstream/pakeha New Zealanders, particularly those who employ/work in intercultural environments, processes that enhance and develop their cultural literacy. These workshops address many kiwi employers/ees’ intercultural communication demands and concerns/difficulties so that they can feel more confident in, and comfortable with their ability to understand and manage intercultural relations in the workplace.

My main contention in offering these workshops is based on an assumption that unless, and until Pakeha New Zealanders understand themselves as cultural/ethnic beings, their capacity to adapt to an increasingly diverse intercultural community and workplace will continue to be inhibited. New Zealand’s historically isolated geographical location and our colonial monocultural/monolingual society has hindered our capability to understand the significance of cultural difference and cultural dominance and therefore to adapt to the present changing cultural environment.

Services offered:

• Education
• Consultancy
• Resource development
• Professional development
• Research

I specialise in:

• Ethnicity
• Gender and sexuality
• Age

including a general approach. I work New Zealand wide, but mainly in Te Waipounamu (South Island).

Workshop-course descriptions:
I offer unique experiential workshops/seminars that update participants about the concept of culture and ethnicity in general, but in particular, I offer them tools to explore their own culture, its manifestations and implications for intercultural relations and communication. Topics that I cover include:

• What is culture, do I have a culture? - Understanding “culture”
• Are cultures just different ways if dressing eating etc or is there more to it? –General cultural patterns
• What is my culture and how does it impact the intercultural workplace
• What is the culture of my organisation? - Understanding institutional power
• Some things that I don’t understand about other cultures - Addressing the dynamics of intercultural communication in the workplace

I work with:

• Community groups
• Government Departments
• General public
• Business
• Educational institutions

Other information:
The basis and essential philosophy of my work is my commitment to working towards a Treaty of Waitangi based society for Aotearoa New Zealand through the sound education of those responsible for learning and those working in a professional capacity.

I evaluate my work using participant evaluation methods and peer reviews and keep my knowledge current through reading, research, professional development, networking and peer mentoring. I am a sole trainer of Pākehā ethnicity.

Normal consultancy rates apply for businesses, organisations, and public institutions. Negotiated rates are available for 'not for profit' organisations.

My personal background includes a broad range of teaching/facilitating and research experience spanning 20 years and I began my working life as a health professional. I emphasize that the basis and essential philosophy of my work is my commitment to working towards a Treaty of Waitangi based society for Aotearoa New Zealand through the sound education of those responsible for learning and those working in a professional capacity.