What is Diversity Outside the US?
In the March/April Diversity Executive magazine, one article delves into the meaning of diversity, as an HR concept, for people outside the US. The meaning of the word diversity and its use in colloquial English is usually taken for granted, says the writer, so it needs to be explained in context. For example, its meaning in ethnically homogeneous Japan is much different than in a melting pot like the US.
What concepts does diversity represent? Culture, language, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and overall behavior are a few key ideas that can be captured in the idea, but for many cultures these topics can be considered taboo or too explicit to mention in conversation. This is where models for handling diversity must reflect the local, cultural context, which is one of the central points of the article and of the intercultural field.
How would you implement a model for Diversity in a conservative country like Saudi Arabia? What does diversity mean to someone from Saudi Arabia?
What does diversity mean to you?