In introduction I defined basic concepts for understanding survey, such as culture, ethnicity, cultural competence, racism. Then I explored, what is important for efficient culturally competent work of providers of psychosocial assistance to individuals of different ethnicity. I explored importance of cultural identity and ethics, knowing cultures, acting in a direction of reflexion of racism to overwhelm its self-evidence and established patterns of power. In my research I also focused on a concept of intercultural mediation, which is a new vocation and skill in services which offer psychosocial assistance. I linked theoretical findings to qualitative research, where I interviewed providers of psychosocial assistance in non-governmental organisations in Ljubljana. I collected their opinions and considerations with regard to above noted concepts. I was interested, to which extent they know, take into account and use those concepts. I also wondered, how interested they are on cultures of users and how, in their opinion, they and their organisation contribute to the cultural competence of the offered services. The analysis of answers uncovered, that more than a half of organisations are culturally incompetent, because they do not realise, that culture presents a significant factor in providing psychosocial assistance to users. Consequently, they know very little or even nothing about cultures of users, who belong to other cultures. Those organisations do not employ translators, interpreters or intercultural mediators, who would help them in working with users who speak foreign languages. Moreover, they do not see a need for improvement of their cultural competence. However, the rest of explored organisations are culturally competent, because their providers of psychosocial assistance showed a broad knowledge of cultures of their users, they also provided them language assistance and showed interest for gaining additional knowledge in this field.
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