Purpose
Early in the establishment of the Densford Center, it was recognized that there is an element of its scope that needs to address international nursing leadership. Given Katharine Densford's international involvement in nursing and health care, the Center needs to reflect this.

A work group was called together to advise the Center Director on how best to carry out this responsibility. Several foundational points were identified that could direct and define the Center's involvement in international and intercultural activities.

1. The Center is an International Center for Nursing Leadership, which indicates bringing people together from different nations to examine and deal with issues related to nursing leadership, rather than being a Center that prepares people to be leaders solely within international arenas
2. While the title describes an International focus, perhaps a more appropriate focus would be 'intercultural' which enables the Center to explicitly address nursing leadership issues of intra-national cultures, tribes and groups, e.g., Native American within this country, and worldwide
3. Individuals need assistance in understanding the cultures different from their own, and in understanding the similarities and differences among cultures and how they affect nursing leadership
4. Leadership relates to 'influence.' Part of the challenge is in helping nurses be leaders when they are not part of the dominant culture
5. A focus for the Center has to be on helping develop more nurse leaders who are competent in cultures other than their own.

The Densford Center will serve as a resource for nurses from all countries and cultures who want to strengthen their practice as nursing leaders; offer a network for bringing together nurses to assist each other in being nursing leaders; and foster the development of nursing leaders from underrepresented cultures.

Several priority objectives were identified:

1. Provide opportunities for nurses interested in international and multicultural nursing leadership issues to meet, exchange information and contribute to each person's development as a nursing leader
2. Develop a framework for nursing leadership which effectively incorporates cultural differences
3. Support and sustain nursing leaders who are struggling to exert leadership in situations in which they may not be of the dominant culture
4. Engage in activities to increase the number of nurse leaders in underrepresented cultures