We must also look to valuing and managing diversity, which focuses on opening minds and changing attitudes about differences and opening the system as a whole in order to accommodate and benefit from those differences. The Affirmative Action and Diversity Program uses many approaches in tackling these challenges. They include a Diversity Speaker's Series, mentoring programs, employee network groups, cultural awareness activities, and the Laboratory's Diversity Forum. Dialogue groups are small heterogeneous groups of seven to nine people who meet on a regular basis for a year or longer to learn about differences. Participants engage in open and frank discussions about assumptions, stereotypes, and individual perceptions about differences.
Members come together and deal with difficult issues and find their own answers.
Each dialogue group is facilitated by a trained leader, and discussions are held in strict confidence. Members are encouraged to take risks, to be as open as comfortable, and everyone must participate. Dialogue groups are perspective based. There are no right or wrong, or good or bad answers, says Valle. Opinions, perspectives, and experiences are shared, rather than forced onto others.