Global diversity refers to the presence of diverse perspectives, experiences, cultures, and identities within organizations, communities, and societies worldwide. It encompasses a broad range of dimensions, including but not limited to: Cultural Diversity: Cultural diversity encompasses differences in beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, and values among people from different cultural backgrounds. It includes aspects such as nationality, ethnicity, religion, and heritage. Ethnic Diversity: Ethnic diversity refers to the variety of ethnic groups and races represented within a population. It acknowledges the unique identities, histories, and experiences of individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Gender Diversity: Gender diversity recognizes the differences and complexities of gender identity and expression. It encompasses the full spectrum of gender identities, including male, female, transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. Generational Diversity: Generational diversity acknowledges the different perspectives, values, and communication styles of individuals from different generations, such as Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Ability Diversity: Ability diversity, also known as disability or differently-abled diversity, encompasses variations in physical, cognitive, sensory, and developmental abilities. It recognizes the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Socioeconomic Diversity: Socioeconomic diversity reflects differences in socioeconomic status, income levels, educational backgrounds, and access to resources and opportunities. It addresses disparities in wealth, privilege, and social mobility among individuals and communities. Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic diversity recognizes the multitude of languages and dialects spoken by people around the world. It encompasses variations in language usage, proficiency, and communication styles within multicultural and multilingual societies. Geographic Diversity: Geographic diversity acknowledges the diversity of geographical locations, regions, and environments inhabited by people globally. It considers factors such as urban-rural divides, geographical landscapes, and climate conditions. Global diversity is important because it enriches societies, fosters innovation, and promotes understanding and collaboration across cultures and borders. Embracing and celebrating diversity helps organizations and communities thrive in an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world, driving positive social change and sustainable development on a global scale.

1. UNDERSTANDING
GLOBAL DIVERSITY
Greg DeShields, CHE, CDE

2. UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL DIVERSITY AGENDA
⚬ The United States
⚬ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Timeline
⚬ DEI Today
⚬ Defining - DEI
⚬ The Dimensions of DEI
⚬ Global Diversity
⚬ DEI Outside The United States
⚬ Brazil
⚬ Canada
⚬ Steps to Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
⚬ Conclusion

4. CIVIL RIGHTS MULTICULTURALISM DIVERSITY ACCOUNTABILITY
• 1963: Martin Luther
King Jr “I Have a
Dream” Speech
• 1963: Equal Pay Act
• 1964: Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act
• 1967: Age
Discrimination in
Employment Act
• 1970: The Gay Liberation
Front LGBT pride began.
• 1971: The Association for
Disabled People.
• 1975: The Maternity Leave
Legislation paternity pay.
• 1976: The Race relations
act.
• 1989: LGBTQ+ group,
Stonewall UK
• 1990: Civil rights declaration
people with disabilities.
• 1995: The Disability
Discrimination Act introduced.
• 2000: The World Health
Organization changed
definition of homosexuality
• 2003: Emp. equality
regulations illegal to
discriminate LGBTQ.
• 2009 Lilly Ledbetter
Act Fair Pay Act
Strengthen
Protection Against
Pay Discrimination
• 2014: Same-sex
marriage became
legal in the UK
2K - NOW
DEI in America grew out of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. It expanded over time to include
identities other than race, including gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, etc.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TIMELINE
1960 1970 -80 1990-2K

5. John Hall, Contributor Forbes 2023
Although DEI is changing, it isn’t going away;
undergoing a rebranding.
• Leaders need to focus more on their DEI
commitments and strategies now than ever.
• DEI is seen as a business strategy. Its value is a
commitment to creating fair, inclusive, and
equitable environments that benefit individuals
and organizations.
• The Generational Shift Is Here - Gen Z is the most
racially and ethnically diverse generation.
DEI TODAY

6. DEI TODAY
• MAINTAIN YOUR DEI COMMITMENTS AND STRATEGIES
• CREATE A POSITIVE DIVERSE COMPANY CULTURE
• BECOME FAMILIAR WITH DEI RELATED LEGISLATION
• GO BEYOND YOUR TYPICAL SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
• EMBRACE THE DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY
• UPDATE YOUR DEI LANGUAGE

7. DEFINE
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

8. DEFINING DEI
DIVERSITY
All the ways we differ.
EQUITY
Fair treatment, access, opportunity, and
advancement for all, eliminating barriers
that prevent full participation.
INCLUSION
Enhancement of an existing idea,
embracing and embedding additional
points of view.

9. DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY

10. • Age
• Education
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Physical Ability
• Mental Ability
• Race
• Religious Beliefs
• Sexual Orientation
TYPES
DIMENSIONS OF
DIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL,
EXTERNAL & INTERNAL

13. • Policy solutions such as affirmative action are
impacted by numerous multiracial identities,
with more than 136 skin color categories
Brazilians use to identify themselves.
Intersectionality becomes crucial when
addressing DEI within this culture.
• One of the first challenges when approaching
DEI in Brazil is to stop copying foreign
strategies and focus on creating customized
systems and structures. The US and Europe too
often serve as models for DEI practices, and
they are duplicated without thoughtful and
intentional adaptation.
In Latin America, Brazil leads in economic and
racial inequality.
BRAZIL

15. Truth and
Reconciliation
Commission
(2008-2015)
Employment Equity
Act
(1986)
National Anti-
Racism Strategy
(2019)
Canadian
Multiculturalism Act
(1988)
Canadian Human
Rights Act
(1977)
CANADA
1986 2019 1988 1977
2008
Canada has made significant progress in promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion over the years.
DEI, challenges, and work remain to achieve full equity and inclusion for all its citizens.
CSIS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2022

16. MIDDLE
EAST

17. Inclusion and Gender
Diversity
The Middle East and North
Africa region loses $575 billion
a year due to the legal and
social barriers that exist for
women’s access to jobs and
careers. - Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD)

18. Inclusion and Gender Diversity
66% - Of men and women in the Middle East believe that governments
should intervene in the private sector and set targets for gender
diversity.
PwC Middle East, Women in Work – Insights from MENA.
Less than 15% - Women in management positions in the Middle East,
less than half of the global average.
ILO 2016
4 out of 5 - working-age women in the Middle East and North Africa
region do not have a job. The World Bank MNAGIL
2/3 - of women and girls have access to the internet and mobile
phones. - The World Bank MNAGIL

19. Dimensions of
Diversity
• Religion
Ethnic differences and power imbalances
• Labor Migration
Foreign workforce reliance and discrimination
• Race/Ethnicity
Globalization-lead increase
• Accessibility
Varying resources for the differently abled
• LGBTQ+
Varying acceptance of rights and intolerance
• Civil Liberties
Activism and DEI
• Conflicts
Impact of safety and instability

20. GLOBAL DIVERSITY

21. Differences and variations exist
among people, cultures, species,
ecosystems, and other entities
worldwide.
A fundamental aspect of the
world's complexity is a source of
resilience and creativity.
GLOBAL DIVERSITY • Cultural Diversity: Differences in languages,
customs, traditions, religions, beliefs, and values
among the world's various societies and ethnic
groups.
• Biodiversity: A variety of life forms on Earth,
including different species of plants, animals, and
microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity
within these species.
• Economic Diversity: Variations in economic
systems, levels of development, and wealth
distribution among countries and regions.
• Social Diversity: Variations in social structures,
demographics, and societal norms.
• Environmental Diversity: Range of natural
environments and ecosystems found on Earth, from
rainforests to deserts and from polar regions to
coral reefs.
• Political Diversity: Differences in political systems,
ideologies, and governance structures across
countries.

22. GLOBAL DIVERSITY THE
UNITED
STATES
MELTING
POT
CANADA
INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES
INDIA
ETHNIC
RELIGIONS
REGIONAL
VARIATIONS
SOUTH
AFRICA
HISTORY OF
APARTHEID
AUSTRALIA
INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES,
BRITISH
COLONIAL
HISTORY
THE UNITED
KINGDOM
COUNTRIES
AND
REGIONS
CHINA
CULTURAL
AND ETHNIC
DIVERSITY
JAPAN
ETHNICALLY
SIMILAR
Aperian Global 2021

23. DEI OUTSIDE THE U.S.

24. Canada inclusive immigration policies and
strong anti-discrimination laws promoting
diversity through government programs.
Sweden has comprehensive anti-
discrimination legislation and actively
promotes gender equality.
Norway government has implemented
policies to promote diversity in the
workplace and public life.
New Zealand has a commitment to
indigenous rights and strong focus on
Maori cultural preservation.
Australia has implemented anti-
discrimination laws.
BEST COUNTRIES FOR DEI
Netherlands has strong anti-
discrimination laws and promotes LGBTQ+
rights.
Denmark has policies that promote
gender equality and social welfare.
Iceland was one of the first countries to
legislate equal pay for equal work.
Germany has implemented anti-
discrimination laws and initiatives to
promote diversity in the workplace.
UK has focus on promoting equality in the
workplace and addressing issues related
to race, gender, and other forms of
discrimination.
The DEI landscape can change over time, and individual experiences may vary within
each country. DEI is a complex issue influenced by many factors.
Forbes Insights 2022

25. Saudi Arabia limited rights and opportunities for women and its treatment of foreign
workers.
North Korea isolated nature has led to concerns about human rights abuses and a lack
of diversity and inclusion.
Myanmar (Burma) ethnic conflicts and human rights violations leading to issues
related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Russia treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and ethnic minorities.
Iran challenges related to gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and religious minorities,
impacting its DEI efforts.
WORST COUNTRIES FOR DEI
DEI is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including cultural, historical, and
political contexts. Progress and challenges can vary widely within countries and
regions, and many countries are actively working to improve their DEI situations.

26. STEPS TO GLOBAL DIVERSITY,
EQUITY AND INCLUSION

27. GLOBAL DEI ACTION STEPS
Raise Awareness Continuous Learning
Advocacy and Policy
Global Perspective
Collaborate Globally Measure Progress
Promoting
Global Diversity,
Equity, and
Inclusion is
crucial for
fostering a more
equitable and
harmonious
world.

28. CONCLUSION
To be a leader, we must go beyond simply
accepting “Equal Opportunity”
We must value and embrace Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion as a strategic competitive
advantage.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are a journey, not
a sprint.