In the workplace, providing employees with the necessary resources to facilitate productive interactions with colleagues, customers and suppliers is key to managing diversity and fostering inclusion.
In addition, we all live in an era that demands constant adaptation to change. Whether we like it or not, this produces a state of stress or weariness.
IDE Training helps multicultural work teams build bridges and create a more inclusive environment.
It also helps to increase talent attraction and employee retention.
This training is accredited by l’Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CRHA)
Recognized hours: 12
THE UNIQUE APPROACH OF PAAL
Diversity and inclusion can be difficult to manage. Sometimes, just talking about it frankly can trigger intense emotions within a work team.
Other training programs on the market use a theoretical approach that is not suitable for people with different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic and reading/writing). This can lead to long and dense sessions where participants are little engaged. Concepts are less well understood and training does not fulfill its purpose.
The IDE Training offers an approach that combines inter*cultural mediation, art and creative facilitation techniques. It allows participants to imagine the best ways to dismantle the problems generated by exclusion and little or too much diversity in the workplace.
IDE Training is offered in three different formats to better meet client needs:
Discovery Format :
An hour and a half activity that allows us to better understand the difference between our reality and that of others.
Anchor format :
Two sessions of one and a half hours each to dive into the subject.
Total format :
This format is divided into four modules, each lasting four hours:
Identity
Culture
Diversity
Inclusion
Our model can be adapted to your reality, which allows everyone to participate and benefit from them by enriching their team experiences.
With our training, participants will:
Develop intercultural skills to adapt to new situations and acclimatize to everyday life.
Increase awareness of diverse teams in their workspaces.
To acquire the know-how and interpersonal skills for a successful personal and professional integration in the work environment.
A better way to work together
This training will give you and your managers and employees all the tools they need to start an introspective process leading to inclusive best practices. This can lead to productive dialogues and clarify steps to create a diverse and inclusive work environment on a daily basis.
Testimonials
I loved the group impressions, discovering the origins of the other members of the team, and reflecting on our identity.
I learned that rather than emphasizing our differences, we need to focus our actions on what brings us together. The personal exchanges and group reflections were super enriching.
I acquired an understanding of the importance of culture and the construction of several concepts in everyday life in order to be able to apply them in work teams.
I understood that it is essential to distance oneself from one's prejudices and the role of benevolence in everyday communication.
Frequently asked questions
Why are diversity and inclusion important?
Due to the need to:
- Expand the talent pool and bridge skill gaps
- Respond to increasingly diverse communities and gain support from diverse stakeholders
- Foster innovation, creativity and diverse thinking
- Mitigate legal and reputation costs
- Increase staff satisfaction
Is the IDÉ training available in other languages?
It can be held in French or in English.
Is there an online version?
Yes, we can offer the training online.
How many participants are recommended to have for each session?
Groups of up to 20 participants guarantee optimal engagement.
How are the sessions structured?
The training contains 4 modules, and it is strongly recommended not to do more than 1 module a day. Each module has a duration of 4 hours.
The approximate distribution of the contents is as follows: Presentation of the concepts: 15 min / Artistic activity: 15 min / Dialogues: 15 min / Journaling and pause: 15 min
I cannot undertake the whole training at the moment. Is there another possibility to engage my team?
Yes, your team can benefit from other IDÉ training activities. More information here:
Are materials included in the cost?
Yes, all materials are included.
Where is the onsite version of the training happening?
Anywhere you want! We can offer the training online or travel to your preferred location. If you need us to travel more than 15 km away from Montreal or to special venues, we may apply extra costs.
How can we ensure that the training has benefited teamwork?
The best tool to integrate concepts and tracking changes in personal postures is called The IDÉ Notebook (Journal), which is part of the equipment provided with the training. With it, participants will not only follow the activities, but also track their personal impressions and insights about diversity and inclusion. Months or years after the training, it will be an interesting portrait of the participants’ thought process and evolution for themselves.
Furthermore, PAAL commits to follow up with a diagnosis, evaluation and consulting sessions. It can be organized around six months to a year after the training.
What are some of PAAL’s success stories with the IDÉ Training or activities?
- Since 2016, PAAL reached more than 10,000 people by promoting knowledge of many cultures in addition to developing intercultural skills amongst the population, mainly in the Côte-des-Neiges, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Saint-Michel, Villeray, and Parc-Extension boroughs.
- Specifically with IDE Training activities, in September 2021, PAAL took part in The Peace Days with “La couleur du verre” in-person, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. With rigorous sanitary measures, participants exchanged their opinions and were surprised to find many common views on everyday problems, such as social exclusion. They were able to come up with ideas to improve their approach for the benefit of their communities. This was a free activity open to the general public.
- In May 2021, PAAL organized the virtual activity “La couleur du verre” at La Corporation de Développement Communautaire de Côte-des-Neiges during which 6 different local community organizations found a space to openly talk about their concerns on everyday challenges when working with other organizations.
- Finally, from 2020, founding members of PAAL were invited to be part of the DEI Group of the ERSM school and collaborated with teachers and staff to effectively implement changes to the curriculum and school environment.
Why is it important to consider such training for my team?
- Montreal is a multi-ethnic city where more than 150 cultures live together and where 25% of the population are people of immigrant origins. To deal with the continued labor shortage, (170,000 positions to fill), the Quebec government plans to receive 70,000 immigrants in 2022. That means more immigrants in Quebec businesses. If not properly managed, this situation can lead to cultural anxiety. In such a scenario, managing multicultural teams and working with international clients can be problematic at every level of organizations. Employees from here and abroad need to develop cross-cultural skills to ensure good communication and performance in their multicultural team.
- A recent study from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) surveyed employees at over 1,700 businesses in eight countries to look at the impact of diversity on business success and employee satisfaction. The study found that businesses with more diversity generated 19% more revenue from innovation than other businesses. It tends to improve employees’ performance and the companies’ retention rate is higher.
*Source : https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation
- To meet this need and to support workspaces willing to diversify their teams, promote employee retention and increase inclusion in their work environment, we are launching the IDÉ training, a creative program to effectively include everyone in the workplace. It is designed for the four types of learners (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing), so that the information presented can be optimally integrated by everybody.
What are the four learning styles?
The four core learning styles are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading and writing.
- Visual
Visual learners are those who learn best by observing things. Visual learners retain information better when it’s graphically depicted to them with charts, diagrams, pictures, etc. They have a good sense of direction and usually like to draw and doodle. - Auditory
Auditory learners integrate information better by listening. Sound and music appeal to these learners who typically have a good sense of rhythm. They work well in group settings where verbal collaboration is encouraged and may enjoy reading aloud to themselves.
- Reading and Writing
These learners prefer using words, both in speech and writing. They express their thoughts easily and usually love to read and write. Verbal learners tend to have a vast vocabulary and excel in activities that involve debating. These learners are note-takers and perform strongly when they can reference written text.
- Kinesthetic
Physically active, kinesthetic learners are hands-on people who thrive when all of their senses are engaged during training. They learn best when they can do rather than only see or hear.
What is “inter*cultural mediation“, mentioned as part as PAAL’s unique approach?
At PAAL, the term “inter*cultural mediation“ means raising awareness of cultural diversity through the sharing of cultural expressions such as art, storytelling and crafts, to reconcile tensions or differences between individuals from different cultures. While classical intercultural mediation uses speech to bring people together, intercultural mediation as proposed by PAAL rather uses art as a unifying tool. These projects respond to the various Canadian government demands to increase the level of cultural democracy and improve living together.
Contact us!
If you need more information about the training’s cost, structure or the program itself, get in touch!
We would like to thank the funders who helped set up IDÉ Training activities and workshops.
Who are we
PAAL Partageons le monde is a social innovation company that educates and raises public awareness of cultural diversity, equality and inclusion through the prevention of racism and exclusion through arts activities.
In 7 years, PAAL hosted 500 workshops and activities for more than 10,000 participants.
Our team
Rafael Benítez
Rafael BenítezRafael is the co-founder and artistic director of PAAL, and the main trainer of IDE Training. Rafael holds a master’s degree in intercultural mediation from the Université de Sherbrooke and has been actively involved in intercultural diversity and inclusion organizations such as the Conseil Interculturel de Montréal, the Peace Network and community organizations in Montreal. Rafael uses his talents as a communicator to create transformative experiences.
Pilar Hernandez
Pilar HernandezPilar is co-founder and director of PAAL. She has a master’s degree from HEC Montréal in cultural business management and a specialization in cultural mediation from CÉGEP St-Laurent. For more than 15 years, she worked as a university lecturer and executive coach. Pilar understands the challenges of our multicultural society and is ready to create projects so that each person finds their place in the world.
Claudia Nunez
Claudia has a BA in graphic design and is specialized in marketing communication. With over 20 years of experience in branding and communications agencies with impact in Mexico and all across the Americas, she enjoys developing unique strategies to strengthen customer relationships. Claudia has lived in 6 countries and has experienced the challenges and opportunities of the integration process, building intercultural relationships while adapting to the host society.
Mounir Shami
Mounir Shami holds degrees in business administration, adult education, intercultural mediation and tourism. Possessing excellent interpersonal and communication skills, Mounir speaks English, French, Arabic, Spanish and Italian. Mounir knows how to show people the differences and similarities of their cultures and highlight the points that unite us.
Yaen Tijerina
Yaen Tijerina is a visual artist and cultural mediator with over fifteen years of experience. She arrived in Montreal in 2017 and embraced “this city of marked contrasts between seasons, this colorful parade of teachings and cultural diversity. This mosaic gives us an opportunity to meet the world at every corner and to get together”.
Luz María Sotelo
Luz María holds a master’s degree in education and was also a teacher at a secondary school in Mexico, where she was responsible for creating and organizing cultural activities with students. She focuses on learning, culture and animation workshops. Luz believes that reading and culture can open up unexpected worlds and serve as a tool for rapprochement. In her career, she devoted herself to conciliation and legal advice for the elderly in rural areas.
Our Philosophy
Paix, Amour, Amitié, Liberté (PAAL)
Peace, Love, Friendship, Liberty. These values are the cornerstone of our activities. We consider that interculturality is an asset to be exploited to ensure peaceful coexistence. To get to know and talk to each other, to open up to the world, fearlessly! That is what animates us.
Our Mission
Break down intercultural barriers through an environment of dialogue and collaborative activities. Our goal is to stimulate reconciliation between the members of different ethnocultural communities residing in the metropolitan region of Montreal.
Our approach
Our program values critical thinking in order to communicate and promote intercultural dialogue, while ensuring a climate of respect and tolerance.
PAAL has developed the term “inter-cultural mediation” which aims to raise awareness of cultural diversity through the sharing of cultural expressions, such as art, storytelling and crafts, to reconcile tensions or differences between individuals from different cultures. While classical intercultural mediation uses speech to bring people together, inter-cultural mediation as proposed by PAAL, rather borrows art as a unifying tool. These projects respond to the various Canadian government demands to increase the level of cultural democracy and improve living together.*
*Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022