Mission Critical: Transatlantic Security and Diversity

October 29-30, 2013, Washington, DC, Congressional Visitors Center

Given rapid demographic change as well as advances in gender and LGBT equity and a new generation of veterans in NATO countries, it is a security imperative for military leaders to proactively advance diversity and inclusion (D&I) best practices. “Mission Critical: Diversity and Inclusion Best Practices for Militaries” will convene policymakers, D&I thought leaders and practitioners from the military, academia, private sector, media and think tanks in the United States and Europe to share best practices, offering practical approaches to strengthen security in an increasingly diverse world. This program will: seed a transatlantic community of shared interest to advance D&I best practices in militaries; strengthen the position of D&I on the national security agenda of the U.S. and European partners; highlight the corporate role in becoming global veteran employers of choice; develop a transatlantic cohort of rising young diverse military leaders with D&I expertise; and help to frame a transatlantic conversation about diversity and security for policymakers and publics in a positive and future oriented way.