The Conference on Innovation and Planning for Federal Agencies (DI²G), a key stone initiative for the implementation of President Obama’s executive order 13583, began yesterday in the McDonough School of Business. The initiative requires all federal agencies to implement diversity and inclusion plans.

“The best talents and ideas, needed to solve the world’s complex and rapidly changing problems, come from diversity,” Professor Youlanda Gibbons said about the atmosphere and the aim of the conference. This is the first federal-wide conference intended to discuss unique and innovative plans for the evolution of diversity and inclusion in the federal Government.

The federal government, with a workforce of 1.85 million people, is the greatest employer in the United States and therefore plays a major role in the promotion of diversity. “The government has historically been the leader and the pioneer in insuring that minorities and people with disabilities are represented in america’s workplace,” Gibbons said.

During the first day of the conference, different panelists expressed their opinions and experiences in the implementation and promotion of diversity in the public and private sector.

Mr. Berto Guerra, CEO of Avanzar Interior Technologies GP LLC, an automotive interiors manufacturing company, explained the importance and tremendous potential of minorities in his firm. “This year, for the third consecutive year, we ranked first in the country for the quality of our seats. The secret to our success was a full understanding and appreciation of diversity.”

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Yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, a healthcare law requiring most Americans to pay a penalty if they fail to purchase insurance, in a historic moment for President Barack Obama’s legislative efforts. The vote was 5 to 4 with traditionally conservative Chief Justice G. John Roberts Jr. supporting four other liberal-leaning justices.

Obamacare polarizes Democrats and Republicans across the nation. Do you support the Supreme Court’s decision?

Take the second poll after the jump

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