UNITED KINGDOM
The head of the UK Public Service has published a guide on why diversity and inclusion are matters of national security and what organisations can do to help.
Sir Mark Sedwill said in a foreword to the report titled Mission Critical that the current national security environment was more complex than ever before.
“We face multifaceted threats from many corners of the world, facilitated by rapidly evolving technologies,” Sir Mark said.
“To meet these challenges, we need a national security workforce of different backgrounds, perspectives and ways of thinking.”
He said diversity and inclusion were mission critical.
Sir Mark said Mission Critical was a suite of simple and practical tools to help staff to be more inclusive.
“It draws on what we know works effectively, from both within and outside Government,” he said.
“It is a practical guide, so dip in and out of it when you’re looking for support.”
Sir Mark said the national security community needed to be truly reflective of the diverse population it served.
“We have made progress, but there is more that we can do,” he said.
Sir Mark said the Mission Critical report outlined five key reasons diversity, inclusion and equality were central to the success of national security in the UK.
Performance: Highlighting research that supports the view that diversity and inclusion underpin business success.
Recruitment: An inclusive and diverse workplace can make the national security sector more attractive to potential candidates.
Innovation: Bringing together a wide range of perspectives and working styles generates more varied ideas and solutions than working as a homogeneous group.
Understanding: In the national security sector, success often depends on engaging a range of people from different backgrounds and cultures and understanding is vital.
Trust: A more diverse and inclusive workforce can help to improve public trust in the national security sector among minority communities.
London, 30 March 2019
