Port of Spain – Foreign Affairs Minister, Knowlson Gift, called on nationals to appreciate their uniqueness and distinction as he launched the Petrotrin EAP Service Limited Cross Cultural Awareness Programme (CCAP).
The CCAP is an orientation program for workers to make a smoother transition when taking up job positions locally or overseas. Petrotrin EAP Services Ltd will offer the program to local, regional and international organizations.
The Minister said, “For me, cultural awareness is all about gaining and maintaining respect and sensitivity for others. It’s about enjoying the diversity that the world has to offer, while sharing the gifts that I bring to the table as someone from Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Cross Cultural Awareness Program is an acknowledgement of the need for us to appreciate persons who may seem different to us and also a sterling reminder that we need to take a closer look at different cultural settings and backgrounds, he said.
Services offered by the CCAP includes workshops/seminars, spousal coaching, support groups, organizational consulting and conversational coaching. Contents of the program include social and business dimensions, such as education, personal appearance, leadership and involvement in decision-making.
It also covers intercultural communications such as nonverbal and social dimensions.
He encouraged members of his audience to be ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago by engaging those who are culturally and racially different and to reject the prejudice that often comes with our perception of others.
