Learn how to move beyond checkbox diversity!
The Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region has developed a series of fun, highly interactive, and easy to use resources that provide volunteers, staff, and managers with tangible steps to:
- Build deeper connections and deeper inclusion in your organizations - and with diverse clients.
- Learn to turn off your cultural cruise control and interact more authentically in diverse settings.
Upon completion, learners have the option of taking a quiz and, if they pass, they earn a personalized Certificate.
Building Bridges through Authentic Interactions – for people who volunteer, work or provide services in diverse communities. These 10 online modules provide methods for navigating the culture in your organization and the diversity others bring to it.
To get from superficial to more authentic interactions, this online course sheds light on the ways in which our reality, and the reality of others, is culturally and socially constructed. Diversity is the starting point. Achieving deeper inclusion and fostering a sense of belonging are the goals. Intercultural competence is how you achieve those goals. Learn about the tangible steps you can take to develop your intercultural competence and build more meaningful relationships in your organization. Without deeper inclusion, diversity is simply a missed opportunity!
Learning Objectives:
- Cultural self-awareness
- Culture general knowledge
- Culture-specific knowledge
- Knowledge about the dimensions on which cultures differ
- Intercultural sensitivity
- Intercultural communication as a process
- Intercultural competence
Currently Free Registration
Enrollment Period: 180 days
How to enrol:
- Click: On the Course Title.
- Create Profile or Log-in: Create your profile in the Learning Space by clicking on the "Create new account" button in the Log-in page if you do not have one. Creating a profile with ongoing access to the site is free of charge. Or, if you have one, simply log-in. Access to courses is as follows:
- Access to Course: You will be directed to the course page and have instant access to the course material.
Written By:
Ingrid Brand, EdD Comparative and International Development Education
Qualified Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator for Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region
Graphic Designers:
Blake Rice and Cayley Maltby

- Teacher: Sydney Atwood
The Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region has developed a series of fun, highly interactive, and easy to use resources that provide volunteers, staff, and managers with tangible steps to: For each of the two series of modules, upon completion, learners have the option of taking a quiz and, if they pass, they earn a personalized Certificate. This Cross-Cultural Connections course – for use in ESL classes or by individuals this course may be accessed for free. 10 modules provide insight and stories from REAL people; How they experienced navigating the cultural learning curve; and the benefits of volunteering to gain understanding, skills and connections. This program is recommended to be used in small groups with some discussion following. Videos, quizzes and humour are included. Enrollment Period: 180 days Ingrid Brand, EdD Comparative and International Development Education Qualified Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator for Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region Blake Rice and Cayley MaltbyLearn how to move beyond checkbox diversity!
Learning Objectives:
Free Registration
How to enrol:
Course Design and Development Credits
Written By:
Graphic Designers:

- Teacher: Sydney Atwood
Cross-Cultural Connections Modules – for people who volunteer, work or provide services in diverse communities.
Waterloo Region is a diverse community with a vibrant cultural history and future!
Learn to turn off your cultural cruise control to build more meaningful connections.
Research shows a strong link between belonging and well-being. According to the 2016 National Vital Signs Report, “the more we get involved in the community, the more we feel like we belong.”
Volunteering can be a powerful vehicle for personal development. It connects people to communities, provides opportunities to develop and showcase your skills, and gain Canadian experience for your resume. Through volunteering, you can develop meaningful connections with people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds – including your own!
