2008 Woodie Awards
Multicultural Affairs
Mario Silva
Issue date: 11/13/04 Section: Campus Life
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Diversity Is About Change and Leadership
Social forecasters predict that the future -- the year 2000 and beyond -- will usher in an era of ethnic, racial, and cultural "minorities" as the statistical majority in the United States. As a result of this inevitable demographic phenomenon, "diversity" and "cultural competence" will continue as the by-words and challenges facing our society and social institutions into the new millennium.
What is needed to prepare our institutions and us to work within this environment of change? My answer focuses on leadership and a personal commitment to moving the diversity agenda forward.
The challenge for societal institutions will be immense
Diversity will continue to place increasing demands on and present formidable challenges for businesses, educational institutions, health care systems, the criminal justice system, and other governmental entities, and the individuals who work within these systems. The demands and challenges center on CHANGE. The reality is that the status quo is no longer an option.
In this environment of societal change and transition it is critical that individuals develop and maintain
o New knowledge
o New skills
o New abilities
o New attitudes, and
o New ways of thinking, being, and doing
What new expectations will diversity require of professionals? Diversity will demand that we re-think and revise our list of the competencies needed to work effectively at a professional level within an environment of increasing racial, ethnic and cultural diversity.
Currently, and more so in the future, professionals must be culturally competent that is, they must possess a wide repertoire of skills and a broad cultural knowledge base to interpret and understand the world views, communication styles, and unique ways of "thinking, being and doing" of others. Further, professionals will be required to use this new knowledge, skills, and abilities to accurately assess needs and select the best strategies and techniques to manage the dynamics of difference within their changing organizations.
Social forecasters predict that the future -- the year 2000 and beyond -- will usher in an era of ethnic, racial, and cultural "minorities" as the statistical majority in the United States. As a result of this inevitable demographic phenomenon, "diversity" and "cultural competence" will continue as the by-words and challenges facing our society and social institutions into the new millennium.
What is needed to prepare our institutions and us to work within this environment of change? My answer focuses on leadership and a personal commitment to moving the diversity agenda forward.
The challenge for societal institutions will be immense
Diversity will continue to place increasing demands on and present formidable challenges for businesses, educational institutions, health care systems, the criminal justice system, and other governmental entities, and the individuals who work within these systems. The demands and challenges center on CHANGE. The reality is that the status quo is no longer an option.
In this environment of societal change and transition it is critical that individuals develop and maintain
o New knowledge
o New skills
o New abilities
o New attitudes, and
o New ways of thinking, being, and doing
What new expectations will diversity require of professionals? Diversity will demand that we re-think and revise our list of the competencies needed to work effectively at a professional level within an environment of increasing racial, ethnic and cultural diversity.
Currently, and more so in the future, professionals must be culturally competent that is, they must possess a wide repertoire of skills and a broad cultural knowledge base to interpret and understand the world views, communication styles, and unique ways of "thinking, being and doing" of others. Further, professionals will be required to use this new knowledge, skills, and abilities to accurately assess needs and select the best strategies and techniques to manage the dynamics of difference within their changing organizations.