Toward achieving cultural competence in development aid: Exploring challenges for public health practitioners and putting a framework forward

In many developing countries, the concept of development aid and humanitarian assistance has become synonymous with 'neo-colonialism and otherness', with the Western culture through its expatriates seen as the master, and the receiving country through its beneficiary communities and local staff seen as passive recipients. Such a relationship is characterised by paternalistic attitudes, cross-cultural problems and cultural ignorance, and lack of equality, all playing against the effectiveness of development programs. This chapter examines the importance of cultural competence in public health research and practice for development aid programs. It examines the gaps in public health practice in a cross-cultural society and moves on to analyse the challenges associated with achieving cultural competence and proposes a framework forward.