Convergence and Diversity: Looking for a Role Model
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
“Convergence” is a term that has been used and abused for many years. The definition of convergence continues to evolve, as solutions evolve. While “diversity” and “convergence” may appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, our world culture continues to evolve to acknowledge and value the diversity of regions & specialty niches that enrich our lives.
Identifying and responding to shifting focus and demands becomes a “push-me/pull-you” for CIO’s and CTO’s everywhere. How do we find and manage “balance” in our short-term response and long-term planning?
One example: President G.W. Bush’s post-911 directives move toward integration of our intelligence and protection agencies under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella. Leadership and operations challenges have plagued the re-organization and progress since the inception of this long-overdue suggestion. Creating a synergistic organization out of so many diverse agency missions, and blending multiple infrastructures and agency procedures into a cohesive whole, DHS is probably the most dramatic example of the challenges of any convergence effort and the most dramatic example of how vested we all are in our own particular diversity.
In the wake of Katrina and Rita, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff has announced another 10% budget increase for the controversial Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The national outcry to improve response continues to put pressure on both federal and private agencies.
Another example: Habitat for Humanity International took 25 years to build its first 100,000 safe, affordable homes, and only 5 years to build the next 100,000. They too have seen challenges grow in leaps & bounds. Recently, Habitat leaders and volunteers pitched in to assist with the Gulf Coast rebuilding, by building and shipping wall frames to the region. While Habitat’s mission is not to be a first responder, volunteers and sponsors accepted the challenge to assist the residents of New Orleans when the national spotlight showed the world just how dramatic the poverty levels are in that region. What makes the difference? Enthusiasm? Faith? One Mission? Passion?
More than 50 humanitarian organizations (including Habitat) and 2,000,000 individuals have joined the ONE campaign to combat poverty and provide much-needed healthcare to our global world. A few familiar names support the efforts: Bill and Melinda Gates, Bono (U2), Christian performer Michael W. Smith, NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo and agencies including Bread for the World, World Vision, Global Health Council, The Better Safer World Coalition, CARE, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, Plan USA, Save the Children US, World Concern, and World Vision, the National Basketball Association, Rock the Vote, and the Millennium Campaign.
Surely, our government and business leaders can learn from so many who have put their diversity aside to stay focused on results. Maybe we all can.
For more information on the organizations mentioned, visit http://www.one.org
or http://www.habitat.org.
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