Between 25 and 29 July 2016 IOM Slovenia held an intensive training course on cultural mediation with a focus on assistance provided in healthcare settings. The training was carried out with funding from a MRF grant received through the COUNCIL OF EUROPE DEVELOPMENT BANK. 

The objective of the training was to equip persons with a migrant background residing in Slovenia with the knowledge and skills required for successful intercultural mediation. Fourteen participants with diverse backgrounds and linguistic skills explored the role and importance of a cultural mediator in facilitating the communication and understanding between diverse individuals and communities in Slovenia.

In addition to discussing the role of the cultural mediator, participants exchanged views on the values and ethical considerations that underpin successful cultural mediation. The trainees gained additional knowledge about cultural competences and communication skills needed as a cultural mediator, while in the second part of the course they learnt about specific issues related to migrants' health, such as chronic diseases, self-care, basic first aid and community health education. A separate session was specifically devoted to assisting vulnerable groups and the particular concerns associated with providing care to unaccompanied migrant children, victims of trafficking and other persons in need of special assistance.

Over the five-day training course participants discussed the challenges cultural mediators face and identified several potential solutions which would support and ease their work, ranging from a nominated focal point for cultural mediators to increasing awareness of the role of cultural mediators through media coverage of their work. The participants expressed the need for continuous support for their work, also including supervision and frequent exchange of cultural mediators' experience in order to support each other in overcoming everyday challenges.

At the end of the training course the participants had a chance to test their newly acquired knowledge and skills by using the role play method. The method enabled the trainees to position themselves in different roles cultural mediator can experience, such as accompanying a person to the local health care service and assisting a trainer in implementing community health education session. Following a final test, the trainees were issued a certificate of attendance.

The training formed part of IOM's efforts to establish a system of cultural mediation in Slovenia which would support the services and assistance provided to migrants in different settings, thereby contributing to strengthened systems of protection and assistance available in the country.

For more information, contact IOM Slovenia, Tel. +386 14347351, Email iomljubljana@iom.int.