Citigroup’s 7th Diversity Week
In mid-June, Citigroup held their 7th annual Diversity Week. This is the 3rd year where initiatives have expanded to all countries in EMEA and last year over 250 events took place in 53 countries across EMEA. The theme for 2010 was ‘Reflecting on Unconscious Bias’ where the organisation discussed how prejudice exists in each of us through how we make judgements and assumptions that can lead to stereotyping and that there are occasions where our perceptions may be faulty. In order to work to eliminate biases at Citi, groups worked to recognise how and when unconscious bias can occur and to consciously value and appreciate difference. A variety of events during the week engaged employees to expand their networks, make new connections, challenge perceptions and become more self-aware, through serious debate, key note speeches and comedy. “The example of underlines the effectiveness of well-planned communication and intervention strategies,” adds Michael Stuber, who has designed a number of cutting-edge events and programmes for leading corporations over the past 13 years. His experience tells that the key success factor is to build programmes that allow participants to take one developmental step at a time using a framework that is founded on the existing communication and learning platforms of an organisation.
