The GilDeane Group, Inc. presents
the 10th Annual NW Diversity Learning Series
Leveraging the tensions of diversity: Igniting sparks of opportunity
What is the 2008 Series about?
We all recognize a diversity tension when we hear one: "Why don't they speak English?" "I can't believe that's her point of view." "Why don't they go back where they came from?" "How can moving a ton of jobs to India be our company's strategy for the future?" "How did she get that promotion—to fill a quota?" "Why don't we get a prayer room if the Muslims do?"... and on it goes.
At the same time, tension, whether resulting from misunderstandings or conflict about goals or values, can be positive — the source of new ideas and opportunities. What if we could ignite sparks of opportunity that help us find the positive potential inside our diversity tensions?
Imagine if we could transform these diversity tensions into more positive intent!
- Is it necessary to be fully fluent in English to participate in the mainstream of life in America? Can there be value in America becoming a bi-lingual country?
- What in my co-worker's point of view threatens me or threatens what's important to me?
- What draws immigrants here rather than wanting to stay in their country?
- What drives sourcing jobs in other countries and how can we better compete in a global economy?
- How can we accommodate the prayer needs of different faith traditions?
- If America is for Americans, what does it mean to be an American, given our espoused values and traditions?
This is the challenge we propose for the 10th anniversary year of the NW Diversity Learning Series. If we can transform some of the most strident diversity tensions we face in our organizations and our society through more constructive dialogue, then we have a better chance of igniting "sparks" of opportunity, creativity and innovative thinking that both our organizations and employees strive for!
2008 Series Sessions
Session One - January 29, 2008
Reflecting on the Legacy of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action: Out of the past into the future!
Presenters
Professor James Gregory, University of Washington History Department, and Trevor Griffey, Graduate Student, creators of the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, and Mic Crenshaw, Educator, Activist, Hip-Hop Artist, Portland, Oregon
The remaining session dates are in process:
- Session Two - Grappling with Immigration: Redefining Americans
Date: Friday, March 7, 2008
Presenter: Steve Miller, Partner, Cowan Miller and Lederman, P.S. and President of the Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Seattle, WA with guest presenter Pramila Jayapal, Founder and Director of Hate Free Zone, Seattle, WA - Session Three - Struggling
with Religious Diversity: Rekindling Tolerance
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Presenter: Grove Harris, Former director of the Harvard Pluralism Project, speaker, writer and consultant, Cambridge, MA - Session Four - Colliding over
Politics: Rising above Duality
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Presenter: Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Founder and President of AMERICASPEAKS, Washington, D.C. - Session Five - Challenging
Concepts of Race & Ethnicity: Transforming Identities
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Presenters: Dr. W. Terrell Jones, Vice Provost for Educational Equity, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and Dr. William E. Cross, Professor, Ph.D. Program in Psychology/Social Personality and Urban Education, New York, NY - Session Six - Confronting Global
Diversity: Imagining a Wide Circle of Inclusion
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Presenters: Patti Digh and David Robinson, The Circle Project
