Nui te kōrero – the big conversation about diversity

I spent an inspiring day at Nui te Kōrero – the big conversation about diversity, hosted by Creative New Zealand.

Here are some of the thoughts and quotes from the various presentations, discussions and conversations that resonated most with me:

There is a reluctance by organisations to articulate who they serve. What does the audience need to look like in the future?
Organisations need to own up to who they are, what their audience and staff profile is (and linked to above – what they want it to be).
To change programming, but to programme work not as a diversity initiative but because it’s great work and for any audience.
How can we reculture commerce rather than commercialise culture?
Working with communities needs to be reciprocal – what does the community gain?
To change diversity we need to have uncomfortable conversations, get out of our comfort zone, dismantle existing structures. Embracing change.
To create a culture of diversity in our organisations (although I would rather call it “a culture of inclusion”).
But let’s not over-complicate diversity, let’s go and make it happen.
Diversity is personal – it is about the future we want to see.

Now I am thinking about my own practice and my clients in regards to the final question we were left with: “What will you do to advance your work in the diversity area?”