The nine scholars invited to participate in the international colloquium, “The Paradox of Multiculturalism Failure and Diversity Management Success.”

Dr. Bernardo Ferdman, core faculty in Alliant's California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Diego, was one of nine scholars invited to participate in an international colloquium, “The Paradox of Multiculturalism Failure and Diversity Management Success.”

The colloquium, sponsored by the Borchard Foundation and organized by Professor Michalle E. Mor Barak of the University of Southern California School of Social Work and Marshall School of Business, took place from June 23-26, 2013. This is one of four colloquia The Borchard Foundation competitively funds each year. The event was held at the Chateâu de la Bretesche, a historic 15th century castle located in Missillac, in the Brittany region of France.

The four-day colloquium was devoted to a comparison of public and business policies in Europe and in the U.S. Each of the nine scholars, who are from from varying disciplines, presented a paper for discussion. Participants engaged in dialogue regarding multiculturalism policies and diversity management in the U.S. and Europe. The collection of papers will ultimately be developed into a book containing insights and cross-sector implications for business and public policy leaders.

The other eight participants in the meeting were:

• Cordula Barzantny, associate professor of international and cross-cultural management at Toulouse Business School in France
• Jean-Christophe Bas, senior advisor and deputy director, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
• Stephen Croucher, professor of intercultural communication at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland
• Ulf Hedetoft, professor of international studies and dean of humanities at the University of Copenhagen
• Martha Farnsworth Riche, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau (1994-1998) and demographic consultant
• Quinetta Roberson, professor of management at Villanova University and program director, science of organizations, National Science Foundation
• Dnika J. Travis, center leader, Catalyst Research Center for Corporate Practice.