The Diversity Council Australia (DCA) held its annual Diversity Debate in Sydney on Tuesday, exploring whether polarisation is affecting diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts.
The event – backed by major sponsor IAG, supporting sponsor Suncorp, and associate sponsor Telstra – brought together professionals and leaders at Doltone House, Sydney, to debate the topic: “Is polarisation holding diversity and inclusion back?”
Moderated by journalist Patricia Karvelas, the debate featured teams arguing for and against the idea that polarisation negatively impacts D&I progress.
The affirmative team, represented by Thomas Mayo, assistant national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, argued that polarisation hinders empathy and unified action, which are essential for inclusive practices.
“The opposite of polarisation is what is best for diversity and inclusion, and that is solidarity,” he said, stressing that divisiveness could block necessary social progress.
“If you get too far apart, if you cannot find empathy, inclusion cannot prevail. What worries me the most is that we won’t do what we need to do as a society and that is putting pressure on decision-makers and having empathy for each other,” Mayo said.
In contrast, the opposing team, which included Niki Kesoglou, executive manager of culture, inclusion and community at IAG, contended that polarisation can bring attention to important issues and foster dialogue that challenges established norms.
“Polarisation amplifies diverse perspectives. It fosters growth and promotes dialogue,” she said. “As we all know, nothing changes without a little heat. Diverse perspectives are the key to innovation. Disagreement disrupts the status quo and drives better solutions.”
At the end of the debate, the audience sided with the affirmative team, with 62% of the vote agreeing that polarisation is indeed impeding progress in D&I.
Attendees participated in networking sessions and continued discussions about the influence of polarisation on workplace diversity in Australia.
DCA CEO Lisa Annese highlighted that while polarisation can pose challenges, it can also ignite essential conversations for advancing inclusion in workplaces.
“The Diversity Debate is not just about intellectual sparring – it is a celebration of progress, community, and the shared goal of fostering inclusive environments across Australia,” she said.
