Final answer:
Cultural competence refers to the ongoing commitment to learn about and understand different cultures' values and behaviors. Cultural competence is vital for appreciating global diversity and fostering empathy, while also being beneficial for societal and organizational progress.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ongoing commitment to acquiring knowledge about the values, traditions, customs, ways of thinking, and behaviors of client groups from a multitude of countries is called cultural competence. This educational process involves learning about cultural values, norms, and expected behaviors through active participation in society. Furthermore, it emphasizes multiculturalism, an orientation of support toward various cultures, recognizing the benefits that diversity brings to an organization or society.
Through ethnography, the practice of describing different cultures without imposing one's own standards, we can foster an understanding of cultural diversity within our own society and around the world. This not only helps us appreciate what cultures worldwide contribute to humanity but also increases our understanding of the interdependence of nations and peoples. Central to cultural competence is the development of empathy and the ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural social, economic, and political experiences.