A core glossary for multicultural training:

The most important terms used in MPP multicultural training are the following:

Culture: culture consists of “meaning providing processes.” This is a broad dynamic term for all things that give meaning to any group. (Example: organizational culture).

Identity: this implies a self-concept or self-image in process of a particular individual or number of individuals. In a multicultural or otherwise diverse context a person will often deal with conflicting self-concepts in process that can cause anxiety or tension. (Example: strong man and gentle father).

Sense of belonging: this is a term that points to the groups within which an individual feels a sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is also in process. Often in a multicultural or otherwise diverse context individuals will experience tension between sense of belonging in one or more groups and sense of belonging in another group or several other groups. In addition a conflict between identity and sense of belonging in one or more groups can occur. (Example: religious person and gang member)

Worldview: this terms describes the values a person holds on a subject or subjects of significance (as opposed to a view about e.g. a favorite color of a car). The person in a multicultural or otherwise diverse context will try to reconcile one conflicting view with another, for the larger culture is not likely to do that for her or him. In addition tension between a self-concept and or belonging in a group can exist. (Example: a woman was raised a pacifist and marries an army colonel)

Identification: this terms points to a person or a group who see(s) him, her or themselves in other person or group, recognizing experience or characteristics or wanting to take on experience or characteristics of this person or group. Identification is a process also and is largely responsible for the formation of identity, sense of belonging and worldview. (Example: identification with sports figures can lead to a changing self-concept).

Language: language is that which we use to communicate: words in infinite combinations, appearance, music, body movements and expressions. Language too is in process and it is a powerful tool in the taking place of identification. (Example: each language has its own powerful expressions and metaphors, e.g. “hitting it out of the park").

Integration: integration is the process of achieving wholeness. Healthy persons, families and organizations all crave integration and wholeness, even though achieving it is a never ending task, for brokenness is always a threat and the danger of fragmentation always a reality. In persons in a multicultural or otherwise diverse context the integration of identity, sense of belonging and worldview through identification should be a main goal. (Example: a healthy church community longs to brings it members together in a common vision: identity, sense of belonging, worldview).