Cultural Competency, Adaptation and Intelligence: Non-Governmental Organizations' Role in This Globalization Era

AbstractGlobalization is here. It has been forth seen. Over the last few decades, international entities, such as the United Nations, were created. Soft laws, such as the Millennium Development Goals, were developed to form global governance to oversee interactions amongst nation-states. Partnerships and qualms have manifested from different perspectives, especially when processing the work towards mutual goals. Presented is a literature review that explores ways to build cultural intelligence and cultural adaptation in order to increase intercultural competency and cross-cultural exchanges through non-governmental agencies, such as Women's Global Connection. This particular research introduces each component and delves into literature that scrutinizes related issues.Keywords: Globalization; Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS); Cultural Adaptation; Cultural Intelligence; Intercultural CompetencyCultural Competency, Adaptation, and Intelligence: Non-Governmental Organizations' Role in this Globalization EraBy now, in this period of history of Mother Earth, people have traveled throughout the entire planet, having walked on all continents, dipped in every accessible water spot, and have touched the sky beyond Earth's atmosphere. The United States Census Bureau's (2013, August 7) declare that the world has over seven billion people. Globalization, \wrld-wide, and international are words that are popping up more often in local news, public debates, and in everyday conversations. Researchers, the media, explorers, and others of interest, have probed into the vast majority, if not every, type of culture that exists on this planet, providing at least a bird's eye view into the multitude of communities. Since the 20th century and the start of the 21st century, one of the main developments of the world has been "the rapid growth of global social relations" (Scholte, 2010, p. 459). Given the abundant variety of livelihoods, what could bring people together as one holistic society? Why would coming together as one global junction even be desired or sought after?All life forms have basic needs. Humans, by nature, are social beings and have an inborn tendency to form relationships. When there is more than one person around, usually, there is a sense of protection and aid. History, as well as, current day practices demonstrates that communities establish norms and common laws to abide by, to keep order. Many times, a society will institute some sort of governance. The definition of governance runs a broad spectrum and denotes numerous significances depending on the viewed philosophy, theory, or paradigm. When related globally, governance is most described as organizational, systematic, mollifying, democratic, multifaceted, multilayered or multileveled, interconnected, and polycentric (Ansell, 2002, p. 668; Ardalan, 2010; Leen, 2004, p. 6; Karnes & Mingst, 2010, p. 4; Lockwood, 2010, p. 762; Pettai & Illing, E., 2004, p. 247; Scholte, 2010, p. 460). Although often confused, governance is not government.There are a vast range of international structures, mechanisms, and components of global governance that includes public and private sectors that participate in formal and informal frameworks (Karnes & Mingst, 2010). Major stakeholders, also considered actors, include intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and nationstates (Karnes & Mingst, 2010). The United Nations (UN), charities and non-profit organizations, and individual countries are examples of global governance stakeholders. Other global governance actors who play a role are large groups with vested interests, such as ad hoc groups (i.e. The Group of Seven, G-7), multinational corporations, and international terrorists and regimes (Karnes & Mingst, 2010). Global governance, additionally, incorporates international rules and laws, called soft laws, which are used as guides, such as Agenda 21 or The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). …