Who is an intercultural worker
An intercultural worker provides assistance and interpreting during negotiations between migrants and public institutions, promotes coexistence between the majority population and migrants, and supports the integration of migrants and migrant communities into mainstream society.
In addition to linguistic competence, intercultural workers usually have migration experience. They are trained in immigration law and methods of client work. Intercultural workers comply with ethical principles and carry out their work independently and responsibly.
What does an intercultural worker do?
- Provides basic social counselling regarding the stay of foreigners in English and Czech languages. For example, information about the types of residence permits, about business licenses, employment, education, the healthcare system, etc.
- Helps with filling out forms. Interprets communication of the client with representatives of public institutions. For example, in schools, governmental offices, hospitals, at police stations, etc.
- Accompanies the client to meetings at governmental offices, hospitals, schools, doctors’ offices, etc.
- Identifies the needs and problems of migrants and communities in a specific district. Facilitates the contact between the majority population and migrants.
- Creates integration strategies and projects to integrate individuals and communities into society (in cooperation with other experts).
- Supports better orientation in a new environment (e.g. gets migrants acquainted with their rights and obligations in the Czech Republic, provides contacts for NGOs working with migrants, etc.).
- Recommends, if needed, a consultation with another specialist (e.g. social worker, lawyer, financial advisor, etc.).
Who can be a client of an intercultural worker?
- individuals (especially migrants)
- public institutions (governmental offices, schools, hospitals, etc.)
- groups (interest/profession based)/communities (representatives of communities)
- municipalities (representatives of municipalities, cities, regions, state)
What an intercultural worker does not do?
- an intercultural worker does not represent a client through a power of attorney, the client always acts in his/her own name
- an intercultural worker does not provide professional financial advice (e.g. comprehensive advice on the establishment of commercial legal entities, professional tax consulting, or advice on financial management of organizations)
- an intercultural worker is not a lawyer, he/she does not represent clients in court or does not provide expert legal advice
- an intercultural worker does not provide professional social counseling without the presence of a social worker
- an intercultural worker is not an employment intermediary and does not provide job offers for clients