This dissertation aims to shed light on the interaction between the voluntary social councilors and persons seeking council in Dansk Flygtningehjælp Council Service. The overall aim is to discuss and improve the basis for interaction between the social councilors and citizens from ethnic minorities.
The dissertation aims to show how different perspectives on culture affect the interaction between the social worker and the citizen. The present investigation suggests that the predominant view on culture in the Dansk Flygtningehjælp Council Service is essentialistic. However, the author's own observations and interviews show that the team of volunteers have relatively diverse views on how to address problems raised by the citizens seeking council. The investigation also suggests that the voluntary councilors wish to apply a holistic approach with emphasis on elements such as recognition, active listening, communication and empathy. I shall argue , however, that these ideals are not characteristic of the actual practice in the Council Service. The judicial aspects, on the other hand, seem to be of primary concern. Thus, the social elements listed above become secondary. These findings suggest a contradiction between ideals and practice. The dissertation therefore emphasises the question of whether the interaction is dominated by an purely essentialist cultural perspective. I will argue that such a perspective can be a barrier to a constructive interaction between the councilor and the citizen.