What is Cross Cultural Sensitivity?
Cross-cultural sensitivity is the ability to understand, respect, and effectively interact with people from different cultural backgrounds. In the UAE’s diverse environment, it means being aware of cultural differences in values, communication styles, and traditions—and adapting your behaviour to build trust and avoid misunderstandings.
How does cross cultural sensitivity apply to Mediation?
In mediation, understanding people’s needs, interests, and emotions is key. But when we work in a cross-cultural setting, especially here in the UAE, success hinges not just on understanding the individuals, but truly respecting the cultural framework they live within.”
In the Emirati context, three pillars shape the mediation experience:
- Local customs
- Sharia principles
- Deeply held cultural values
And each of these has a profound impact on how parties engage, how trust is built, and how resolutions are found.
1. Local customs prioritise relationships over transactions.
Building rapport, showing genuine respect, and honouring hospitality are not just polite gestures — they are essential to establishing credibility. A rushed, overly aggressive mediation style simply won’t work here. Instead, patience, humility, and attentive listening are critical.
2. Sharia principles guide the way fairness and justice are understood.
Sharia emphasises reconciliation, mutual agreement, and the importance of restoring harmony, not just enforcing a technical settlement. For mediators, this means we must frame discussions in a way that supports dignity for all parties, while aligning with these deeper moral and ethical values.
3. Family honour, community standing, and personal dignity deeply influence decision-making
Parties may prefer solutions that preserve social harmony, even if they involve compromise. Recognising this allows a mediator to navigate sensitive issues thoughtfully and to propose solutions that feel respectful and sustainable, not just practical. In short, mediation here is not about imposing a foreign model. It’s about honouring a centuries-old tradition of dialogue, respect, and consensus while blending it with modern best practices.
At Crowther Mediation, we view cultural sensitivity as more than a technique. It’s a core value, one that shapes how we serve our clients and build bridges across differences.
If you’re navigating a dispute here in the UAE, whether personal, commercial, or family-related, having a mediator who understands the Emirati perspective isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
As always, we’re here to support you with respect, understanding, and cultural intelligence. Contact us today to learn more.
