Why would a multinational Fortune 500 corporation encourage
employees to watch documentaries on company time? Because it's part of
Active Voice’s new approach to helping people break the ice around
problems that are hard to talk about - in this case a pervasive
lack of understanding about Islam and Muslims, which undermines working
relationships and team productivity.
Active Voice in the Workplace: The Islam Project combines
personal stories from films and key information about Islam in a
multimedia corporate
diversity training program. The time is ripe for a program
like this: Companies are becoming more religiously and culturally
diverse, and bias against
the 5 to 7 million Muslims living and working in the United
States has increased dramatically, severely affecting their job satisfaction
and productivity.
Supported by the NCCJ ChevronTexaco September 11th
Anti-Bias Fund, The Islam Project training focuses on communication,
rapport, problem solving and productivity, and includes explanations
about
Islamic customs related to attire, social interaction,
food and fasting, prayers and holidays. At the heart
of the program are powerful
stories
from two acclaimed films: Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet,
produced by Kikim Media/Unity Productions Foundation, and
Muslims, produced by Independent
Productions Fund. Other components in the kit include
a Facilitation Guide strategically designed to support
long-term outcomes, Frequently
Asked Questions, and a laminated Job Aid reference card
for employees and managers.
Led by our training partners, Islamic Networks Group and
Connecting Cultures, Active Voice in the Workplace: The
Islam Project has piloted
to high marks at companies across the country and was
praised at the 2004 Society for Human Resource Management Diversity
Conference as an effective
long-term application in sectors as diverse as Energy,
Hospitality, Financial Services and contractors who work
with the U.S.
Government.
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