Responding to diversity in organizational life: the case of a Faculty of Social Work

Abstract

Increasing diversity of populations in many countries places demands on institutional structures to be responsive to the needs of minority communities. Universities, and especially schools of social work, are expected to be open to these new challenges of diversity. It is argued that inclusiveness should be integrated into the overall strategic responses of institutions. This paper describes the attempts by a Faculty of Social Work to become more inclusive by introducing initiatives in minority student recruitment and retention, faculty development, curriculum development, community outreach and research. The paper also raises critical issues involved in the process and discusses the lessons learned.