What is Diversity and Why is it Important? - The definitions vary as much as the many diverse characteristics of people.
Diversity
Adapted from Guion (1999:1):
".. Diversity is a mosaic of people who bring a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, perspectives, values and beliefs as assets to the groups and organizations with which they interact.”
Ask yourself:
To what degree are you comfortable with changing your cultural beliefs, and the degree to which you expect others to change their cultural beliefs?
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Diversity is an ASSET
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Interaction is a key part of the definition
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Two Clusters for different types of diversity:
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Primary Cluster - cannot change
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Secondary Cluster – can be changed
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References:
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Guion, L. & Chattaraj, S. & Lytle, S.S.. (2004). Strengthening Programs to Reach Diverse Audiences: A curriculum to planning and implementing extension programs for ethnically diverse audiences. 42.
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Gardenswartz, L. and Rowe, A., 2009. The effective management of cultural diversity. Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations, pp.35-43.