Episode 2 - Enacting sensible inclusion amidst widespread attention to diversity (17th Anniversary)

With the rise of woke culture and more widespread awareness of the disadvantages and difficulties faced by minorities, inclusion is turning into a watchword. Many organisations are facing pressure to enact diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies. However, such policies have often been interpreted too broadly and applied uncritically.

Universal inclusion, such as through colour-blind hiring strategies, affirmative action through quotas for minorities and a range of accommodations, could have unintended consequences. Such initiatives can result in impractical outcomes for organisations and undermine social cohesion in broader society.

In this discussion we critically examine what inclusively might look like in the context where there is a high regard for social stability and meritocracy. How reasonable are policies that lead to differentiated inclusion where not all groups are equally included? Are quotas for people of different races or abilities ever an effective way to approach inclusion? What protections and initiatives should be put in place to ensure that deserving minorities can be adequately rewarded? How can organisations strike a balance between multiculturalism and meritocracy? This discussion is particularly pertinent in Singapore now, as the government has announced that it is looking at enacting anti-discrimination legislation to further strengthen inclusion at the workplace and has revised its policy to allow Muslim nurses to don the tudung with their uniforms in public healthcare settings.

Click and listen to Episode 2 from the following links below: