Diversity Enlightenment (DE)

(View DE Data Analysis)

What is Diversity Enlightenment? Not Diversity Training

Let's start by clarifying what it is not? It is not diversity training. Diversity Training may be something accomplishable, but definitely not in a limited time period. However, you can enlighten someone in or through one significant moment that you share with them. However, our Diversity Enlightenment Sessions provide much more than a moment's enlightenment.

So, What is Diversity Enlightenment?

It is an innovative approach to diversity education that challenges individuals to consider the reasons they see the world as they do. Enlightenment sessions centered on the topic of diversity don't skirt any issues, but are designed to construct conversations on difficult topics in ways that are less threatening, but undeniably poignant and pertinent to the advancement

Our method? You can't separate a sophistication about diversity from the concept of leadership. So we encompass a plethora of approaches. Some are listed below:

Establishing the importance of the university and community as essential contributors to the success of diversity through methods of empowerment.

Utilizing thought experiments that attempt to demonstrate to the participants exactly where they are in terms of their knowledge and sophistication of diversity.

Recognizing that there is no more powerful tool for learning than conversation, we attempt to create an environment where honest interaction occurs on difficult subject matter.

Addressing and demystifying the notion of xenophobia

Learning from a three-pronged approach towards diversity enlightenment.

Discussions on controversial or uncomfortable aspects of diversity (i.e., race, sexual orientation, disability, class, gender, privilege, toleration, disenfranchisement, etc.)

Introducing new concepts, theories, and paradigms on diversity that effectively challenge conventional practices with invigorating new approaches.

Ultimately it is our hope that our participants will leave our diversity enlightenment sessions understanding the inherent contradictions that accompany:
Wanting respect without giving it,
Pursuing knowledge that is skewed,
The difference between having xenophobia and succumbing to it.

Our DE Sessions are geared to many different types of organizations or groups, as indicated below:

	Middle School Faculty, Staff & Students
	High School Faculty, Staff & Students
	College/University Student Organizations
	Teachers/Faculty Organizations
	Business Organizations

In general, we introduce the concept of diversity; articulate diversity to our participants as pertinent to them or their organization on the strength of diversity's merits; introduce our participants to facets of diversity never previously conceived; caution our participants about the conscious subterfuge surrounding diversity; acknowledge and engage the rhyme, reason, and resentment people have towards diversity; convince our participants of the celebratory aspects of diversity.

Specifically we enlighten our participants in ways others simply don't come close to accomplishing.

If you want to fully understand the meaning of this, then you will have to attend a session, won't you!

Previous XD clients include: Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Chazy, NY; Pace University, NYC; Paul Smiths College, NY; Excelsior College, NY; UVM, VT; Bombardier Corp., NYC; City of Seattle, WA; and Princeton Junior Scholars, NJ

This page was last updated 02 April 2010
This site managed by Kristie Gonyea

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