Information in this section pertains to all global PEN® partners except where country flags are
visible. Click on the flag(s) for country-specific information. If a country flag is not listed, there is
no information specific to that country.
Importance of Topic to Practice
Cultural competence describes the ability for health care systems and practitioners to provide high quality, safe, client-centred care to clients with a wide range of unique values, beliefs and behaviours (1). It is believed that cultural competence improves health care by developing a connection between health care providers and clients through the recognition that culture and language influences health and well-being (2). Cultural competence has the potential