4.3.2 Intercultural mediator profile
The general characteristics of the intercultural mediator’s profile must include: being older than 25, being a woman or a man depending on the group they interact with, being associated to the cultural origin of the group, having migration experience and having been for a long period of time in the welcoming society.
In relation to his/her skills, he/she must control instruments and proceedings of: personal support (empathy, aid relationship, active listening, communication, etc.); encouraging groups and conducting meetings; analysis of socio-cultural systems; negotiation and resolution of intercultural conflicts; Information, awareness and diffusion; team work; defense of rights and interests (claim proceedings, demands, etc.); Social Action; Immersion and taking distance from the different situations they intervene.
He/she must also know: the language of his/her culture of origin or alternatively other vehicular language and the host society language; he/she must have basic knowledge about different patterns of personnel development and interpersonal relationships. Besides he/she must know migration and human movements; and control concepts of participation, organization and revitalization of groups. It is necessary he/she knows basically the functioning and resources of majority society and immigrant groups, as well as the applicable law in origin and host societies; and he/she is also required to have basic knowledge of social groups and their organization – in origin as well as in the host country – and of the relationship between majorities and minorities.
His/her attitude towards the world must be open, creative, imaginative and he/she must show interest to learn and know each other. He/she must become aware of what is happening around him/her and become aware of himself/herself. He/she does not close his/her eyes to reality, being sincere and confident. He/she takes advantage of possibilities when there seems to be none. He/she must be honest, brave and modest. He/she does not fool himself/herself and always does what he/she must do without hidden aims and straight forward; he/she has courage and does not stop when faced with difficulties. He/she is aware of his/her role. He/she must have a close attitude with the other, of active, committed and supportive listening. He/she must be close and accessible to others, know how to be trusted and respected by others, understand them and pay them attention. He/she has an opportunity of working for justice.
In the relationship, he/she must show interest on the other, having faith in the resources and possibilities of the other and accepting each other as they are. He/she worries for the other party and their situations; he/she enables the other’s possibilities. He/she knows their view of the world is not the only one and he/she understands and gives value to the other’s view, respecting it but not sharing it.
He/she must be collaborative, allowing others to participate and participating himself/herself, negotiating and reconciling. He/she acts along with others in the achievement of goals, gets involved in the development of tasks and makes space for other’s involvement; he/she tries to close positions and different views of the world.
His/her ideas must be flexible, tolerant and respectful. He/she does not possess the truth, accept other’s views, as well as take into account other’s opinions and practices; pays attention and accepts what the other says or does, recognizes other’s rights at the same time he/she asserts his/hers.
He/she must also show calm, coherence and be well-balanced. He/she says what he/she does, and does what he/she says; knows how to place himself/herself in events in a peaceful manner, stands up for moderation and negotiation in conflicts; knows how to harmonize opposite positions in situations, looks for equality in the relationships and is wise when facing facts.
