Forging New Pathways for Diversity and Inclusion:
Building Skills for Collaboration and Dialogue
November 18-21, 2009
Marriott Crystal City
Reflecting one year after the election of our nation’s first biracial president, the United States continues to face challenges in creating a truly inclusive and equitable society. Although many organizations dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and civil and human rights share similar visions for inclusion and equity, often they find themselves isolated from, or even at odds with one another. In order to form a unified vision and mobilize our collective strength to create real change, advocates, practitioners and leaders must be equipped with the tools necessary for dialogue and coalition building.
Emerging Issues Forum
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
The purpose of this one day forum is to convene leaders from a multitude of sectors and areas of expertise, to engage in thoughtful dialogue on controversial diversity and equity issues we face in our organizations, communities and society. Top thought leaders in diversity and inclusion will work together to identify the major challenges we face, now and in the future, in achieving our goals of a truly equitable and inclusive society.
They will engage in thought-provoking discussions to not only address these issues but to tap into how the issues impact us personally and professionally. Diversity leaders from corporate, education, nonprofit, government, health, civil and human rights, and others, will share best practices and develop collaborative strategies for tackling these emerging issues.
Diversity Dialogue Series
Thursday, November 19, 2009
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Facilitated By: FutureWork Institute
Controversy is a fact of life when dealing with some of the more difficult diversity discussions within our organizations. Often questions are posed and emotions take over, when we hear questions such as:
- How can I support our GLBT affinity group and be true to my religious beliefs?
- When we keep talking about these broad definitions of diversity and inclusion, does that mean we think we have solved the issues for women and people of color in our organization?
- Do you believe our youngest staff member expects a promotion after six months on the job?
- What do you mean we are focusing on microinequities? What about the racist and sexist macroinequities I face every day?
Our 24/7 media, the public’s appetite for conflict and the passions of employees about many of these issues can lead to debate to trump dialogue as a means of communication. In these skill-building sessions, participants will have the opportunity to hone their skills by practicing a number of well-known approaches to dialogue on some of the most contentious contemporary diversity and inclusion issues.
Each of these sessions will take a specific topic, present the issues on both sides, introduce a proven method of dialogue around the issue and provide skill practice in small groups. Materials will also be available so that these techniques can be used and taught back in your workplace.
Note: Participants will choose one morning and one afternoon dialogue session to attend. Attendees enrolled in the Diversity Dialogue Series will not be able to participate in the Diversity Leadership Institute.
Diversity Leadership Institute
Thursday, November 19 - Saturday, November 21, 2009
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Facilitated By: National MultiCultural Institute
The Diversity Leadership Institute will provide professionals with the skills they need to effectively manage and lead diverse organizations, build internal capacity for inclusive workplace practices, and drive organizational culture change.
Note: Participants will choose only one 3-Day workshop to attend. Attendees enrolled in the Diversity Leadership Institute will not be able to participate in the Diversity Dialogue Series.
3-Day Workshops
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