Global Diveristy Forum- Spring 2010 in Review

Within private sector corporations, Human Rights has long been the focus of interest for corporate social responsibility, addressed through initiatives such as labour standards or the Global Compact. However at ORC, we have noticed that some organisations are taking a broader view of human rights, and consciously building this into the work they do on diversity. For example, they are infusing their global policies on diversity, conduct, ethics, etc with human rights issues of dignity, respect, freedom from discrimination, etc. Organisations are also seeing how corporate diversity and equality ‘issues’ are being impacted by political events in the external environment, for example in relation to gay rights issues and homosexuality, which is outlawed in some countries.

To get some insight into the challenges this raises, at the Global Diversity Forum meeting in London hosted by AstraZeneca, ORC facilitated a panel discussion with two member organisations to hear their different perspectives on the topic. The panelists were two senior thought leaders in diversity: Martin Swain, Director, UK Policy, Employee Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, GlaxoSmithKline, and Fiona Bartels-Ellis, Head of Equal Opportunity & Diversity, The British Council.
Martin spoke of the challenge for a values-based organisation like GlaxoSmithKline managing the tension between upholding policies on equality and respect in environments that do not share those values. He discussed the need to balance rights with responsibilities, and Fiona shared some very vivid examples of individuals rejecting the organisation’s values and notions of human rights and equality. Both panelists shared strategies to navigate through this, including taking a ‘critical friend’ approach. We will continue to keep a watch on this emerging trend and plan to revisit the topic at future meetings. The next Global Diversity Forum meeting will be 24 June in New York City.

Contact: Liz MacGillivray (US) liz.macgillivray@orcww.com (US) or Deirdre Golden (UK) deirdre.golden@orcww.com