Rethinking diversity in public organizations for the 21st century - Movingtoward a multicultural model

The 21st century promises a more diverse public workplace in terms of race, ethnicity culture, gender, age, and disabilities. In light of the shifting composition of public organizations, this article applies three different paradigms of diversity developed to understand private organizations and an alyze practices in and research about public organizations. Building on the se paradigms, this article proposes a new process for managing diversity th at facilitates the development and promulgation of a multicultural organiza tion. This paradigm of multiculturalism cultivates a climate in which indiv iduals from dominant and nondominant cultures coexist and thrive. Consequen tly, agencies will be more effective in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, structuring internal processes, and serving clients.