Professional learning for ethno‐cultural diversity Part I: ‘The challenge of change’

Abstract

This is the first of two linked papers which explore the implications for professional learning of the ethnic and cultural diversity which marks contemporary developed societies. The first paper considers the responsibilities brought to professionals by multicultural contexts for their practice and reviews educational provision in relation to these responsibilities for one group, namely the police. The two papers are based on a case study of the contribution of continuing professional education to the development of the Race Relations Policy of Metropolitan Toronto Police. This initiative brings lessons for any organization or professional group. The paper describes the Race Relations Policy and sets its development in the context of new models of policing currently being created and the legislative framework surrounding the initiative. The paper considers the implications for professional learning of policy development of this kind, and examines the extent to which continuing professional education progr...