IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 2

Importance of Diversity in Local Governments

The recent past has seen many local governments such as city councils strive to promote
diversity in their ranks. Some of these efforts are geared towards compliance with diversity laws.
However, many city councils are increasingly realizing that having a diverse workplace is a good
thing in and of itself. Including people from underrepresented groups such as ethnic and racial
minorities, young people, and people of low income provides city councils with massive
benefits.
One of these benefits is ability to attract highly skilled and talented workforce. When a
city council recruits and hires personnel from diverse backgrounds it becomes easy for it to
attract talented individuals. Few people want to work in an environment where they are the only
ones of their kind. When there is diversity at the workplace, it is easy to attract members from
different groups because they will have people around that they can identify with.
Another benefit of diversity is that it creates a city council that is more responsive to the
needs of the people, especially those from underrepresented groups. When members of these
groups are involved in the decision-making of the city councils, the final decisions that are made
are likely to be more in tune with the needs of the people they represent. For instance, having
someone whose children attend poorly funded and dilapidated schools in the body making
education decisions in the city council is likely to influence the body to allocate more funds to
such schools.
Promoting diversity and inclusion also improves the public image of the local councils. A
diverse local government shows that it values every member of the society, is sensitive to their
needs and welcomes their contribution in solving local problems. Such a positive image helps to
create stronger public support for the council’s initiatives.

IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 3
In conclusion, promoting diversity in city councils and other local governments improves
self delivery, creates a positive image of the local government, and increases its ability to attract
top talent. Diversity promotion efforts should, therefore, not just be done to meet legal
requirements but to reap its many benefits.