Competencies for Effective Global Engagement: A Proposal for Communication Sciences and Disorders

The consequences of globalization include advances in technology and greater interactions among nations, as well as unpredictable world events and high levels of voluntary and involuntary movement of groups of people across national borders resulting in demographic shifts throughout the world. Also, due to globalization, professionals such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUDs) can choose to be employed outside of their home countries. Acquiring global competencies is essential for providing successful services to groups of people from various racial, ethnic, cultural, economic, and national backgrounds. In this paper, we present theories of globalization, a framework for global competencies, proposed global competencies, and argue for the necessity of global competencies to be integrated into pre-professional educational experiences and in the standards of professional organizations. We are well aware that competencies for global engagement may differ for every country context. This article is only an initial step in beginning to outline and define some competencies that SLPs and AUDs need to be effective service providers in this 21st century and beyond, with the hope of provoking an international conversation, and ultimately, a universal list of global competencies that will work for all.