The business case is in for diversity.

A sold out show and networking event on November 24th complemented the excellent content provided by the panelists and the questions posed by the audience on the topic of organizational diveristy. The Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Government Services has an extensive and successful leadership background in the corporate world. He aptly stated that organizations should see implementing diveristy in the terms of the positive "business case" that it has proven to be. It should not be legislated he stated. He was supported by panelists that represented a cross-section of industry that included technology, banking and media (IBM, BMO Financial Group and CBC/Radio-Canada). All put forward how their organizations are putting forward diversity and "inclusion" initiatives because of the established business case their organizations have seen for it. Noelle Richardson, Chief Diversity Officer, Ontario Public Service, added to the discussion the need to address "invisible minorities" - e.g. mental health issues. She also brought forward a poignant comment on racism. Noelle noted that racism and prejudice were not the purview of Canada, US and Europe but they can be found throughout the world as she herself witnessed and noted as an example while visiting Africa. This acknowledgement I believe helps give us a pluralistic perspective that what we need to address is part of our collective human condition and not but the responsibility of one group or people. See video excerpt on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/DirectEngagement#p/a/u/0/O5MzoQVawro