Diversity and Public Service in a Time of Change: Challenges and Opportunities

Join us for dinner and dialogue on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Public managers and agencies in the U.S. face the challenge of serving communities that differ by race, gender, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, and other characteristics. In such a changing environment, tailoring public services to the needs of the diverse population while striking a proper balance between efficiency and equity becomes an increasingly challenging task.

Should public organizations reflect the diversity of customers they serve? Can public services be tailored to diverse populations yet balance equity and effectiveness? What sorts of diversity programs ‘work’? Why, and for whom? How can we best address these and other emerging 21st century challenges in public administration?

Speakers:

• Frances Burke, PhD, Professor Emerita, Suffolk University
  President, Integrity International
• Christine Brenner, Chair, Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs
  McCormack Graduate School, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Carole Copeland Thomas, President and CEO, C. Thomas & Associates

Moderator:

Michael P. Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs
McCormack Graduate School, University of Massachusetts Boston

Sponsors:

• Massachusetts Chapter, American Society for Public Administration
• Boston Chapter, National Forum for Black Public Administrators
• Commonwealth Compact
• Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs
• Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management

LIGHT DINNER SERVED.  
RSVP recommended: comm.compact@umb.edu

Anyone requiring disability related accommodations in order to fully participate in this event should go to www.ada.umb.edu and complete the request form.
 

Tags: mccormack graduate school, mccormack graduate school, mgs, public policy, diversity, commonwealth compact, collins center