Mission

To serve as a resource for research and education for individuals and organizations in their quest to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion practices around the world.

Value Statement

To create a better world and improve organizational performance, we value:

1. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
2. Integrity and Responsibility
3. The 5 P’s of Sustainability – People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

We define both diversity and inclusion in The Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDEIB):

Diversity refers to the variety of similarities and differences among people, including but not limited to: gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origins, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socio-economic difference, appearance, language and accent, disability, mental health, education, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role and function, thinking style, and personality type.  Other dimensions of diversity may be relevant in particular geographic regions and organizations.  

Equity sometimes referred to as social equity, in its simplest terms means fairness. In an equitable society, all people would have full and unbiased access to livelihood, education, participation in the political and cultural community, and other social benefits. It does not mean that everyone is the same or receives the same benefits.

Inclusion is a dynamic state of operating in which diversity is leveraged to create a fair, healthy, and high-performing organization or community.  An inclusive environment ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. It also enables individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued, for who they are and for their contributions toward organizational and societal goals. 

INTEGRITY & RESPONSIBILITY

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong ethical principles.

Responsibility is the state of being accountable for something within one’s power, control, or management; it is a duty or obligation to satisfactorily complete an action or carry out a promise.

THE 5 P’s OF SUSTAINABILITY – People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership

Around the world, individuals and organizations are commiting to sustainable practices by focusing on the 5 P’s – People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity and Partnership.   Sustainability is at the core of  the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and more recently on The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG  expands the integration of environmental, social, and economic policies and highlights how various organizations — of different sizes and sectors — can support global and sustainable development. DEI work is part of this solution. 

While many would make the case that all 17 goals support DEI, the SDGs below are most applicable:

• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. (UN Goal 4)
• Achieve gender equality and empower all women. (UN Goal 5)
• Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. (UN Goal 8)
• Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. (UN Goal 9)
• Reduce inequality within and among countries. (UN Goal 10)
• Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. (UN Goal 16)

A premise of the sustainability movement is:  “I succeed when you succeed.” This success is possible when individuals and organizations support one another, and conduct business with fairness and respect. This premise is in concert with the values and ultimate goals of DEI work.