Cultural humility is an ongoing process of self-reflection and self-critique in which an individual continuously examines their own cultural background, biases, and assumptions while remaining open and respectful toward the cultural identities and experiences of others. It emphasizes a lifelong commitment to learning, recognizing power imbalances, and engaging with others in a way that honors their beliefs, customs, and values without assuming mastery or fixed knowledge about any culture

. Key aspects of cultural humility include:

• Self-reflection on one’s own cultural identity and biases to understand how these influence interactions with others

• A willingness to learn from others and approach relationships with curiosity and respect rather than judgment or stereotyping

• Acknowledging power imbalances and working to address them in interpersonal and institutional contexts

• Respectful engagement that values diverse perspectives and experiences as unique rather than monolithic

• A mindset rather than a goal , meaning it is a continuous process rather than a fixed state of cultural competence

Originally developed in healthcare to improve interactions across cultural differences, cultural humility has since been applied broadly in education, research, leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Unlike cultural competence, which can imply achieving a certain level of knowledge about other cultures, cultural humility focuses on self-awareness and openness to ongoing learning and adaptation

. In summary, cultural humility is a practice and orientation that fosters deeper understanding and equitable relationships by prioritizing self- awareness, respect for others’ cultural identities, and the recognition of social power dynamics