Diversity Namibia Conference set for February
The organisers of Namibia’s first diversity conference reminded the general public of the conference dates, set for 11 and 12 February. Fons Trompenaars, international consultant, trainer, motivational speaker and author of various books on the subjects of culture and business, will be the key speaker at the conference. “We are excited about the upcoming conference, which aims to equip leaders and professionals with the skills to manage complex issues such as diversity in the workplace.
Diversity management is not only about race, but also refers to differences in thought, age, gender, ethnic and cultural differences. When discussing diversity we have to ask ourselves one simple question: ‘how can we harness the intrinsic value nationally and within the workplace in such a way as to realize the full potential of our country?’” explained Margareth Gustavo, Managing Director at Cornerstone Joe Public and main organiser of the Diversity Namibia conference.“Organisations that have developed tools and managed diversity effectively have built successful organisational cultures, resulting in highly productive work environments,” said Gustavo. The objectives of the conference are to create awareness about diversity management and the benefits thereof; and to create an appetite amongst private and public sector leaders on how to craft, lead and establish a winning culture within organisations. “The organising committee is inviting all corporate,government ministries and agencies to support this important initiative by sponsoring relevant professionals to attend this conference,” invites Gustavo. “The registration process is very easy and straight-forward. You basically complete and submit an online form at www.diversitynamibia.org” said Gustavo. The key speaker, Fons Trompenaars, is founder and director of Trompenaars-Hampden-Turner, an intercultural management firm, based in The Netherlands.
He has authored thirteen books on cultural diversity and cultural innovation. Sponsors of the event include Old Mutual Namibia, which committed N$100,000 for the conference; PwC that committed N$30,000 in cash and N$70,000 in kind; the O&L Group providing a cash sponsorship of N$30,000, and Simonis Storm Securities who sponsored the launch event last year. The organising committee comprises Prof. Joseph Diescho (NIPAM), Andrew Jansen (Simonis Storm Securities), Margareth Gustavo (Cornerstone Joe Public), Priscilla Husselmann (Nedbank Namibia), Natasja Williams-Phatela (Grow Training and Advisory Services and Franklin Covey Namibia), Florence Amuenje (Consultant) Rauna Nghishekwa (Cornerstone Joe Public), Hilda Basson-Namundjebo (Oxygen Communication), Brendon Ihmig (PointBlunt Multimedia Productions), Talitha Jario (Consultant), Helene Meintjies (Bright! Communication), Tracy Eagles (Old Mutual Namibia) and Taamba Iithete (BlackTurnKey Project Managers).
