Developing diversity skills with university students : The key to better relationships and the flourishing of human potential

Purpose – Points up the importance of developing people in organizations to enhance diversity. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on two presentations to a conference on diversity at Middlesex University, London. Findings – Highlights the role mentoring can play, first to achieve access to graduate-employment opportunities in the public sector and secondly to enable people to work together effectively and harmoniously in teams with greater respect through awareness and appreciation of difference. Practical implications – Describes the public-sector diversity-mentoring scheme, the primary goal was to widen the pool of applicants to graduate-employment opportunities in the sector from ethnic minorities and working-class backgrounds. Social implications – Explains that, while respect is a common value shared by all, in one culture it may be experienced differently from in another and for teams to work harmoniously all members need to feel respected. Originality/value – Shows how diversity is the key to better relationships and the flourishing of human potential.