Lessons Learned

The Aetna Foundation and the National Conference for Community and Justice Work to Foster National Dialogue on Diversity

Now in its eighth year since Aetna and NCCJ joined forces, the National Conversation of Race, Ethnicity and Culture is a key initiative of the program. Created in 1996, the National Conversation addresses the most current and critical issues facing the growing diversity of communities nationwide. This annual forum engages national leaders to build meaningful dialogue about these issues, and provides them a platform by which they can leverage their power and influence to address problems.

Through the National Conversations, Aetna and NCCJ strive to create dialogue that is directly relevant to people of different races, ethnicities, and cultures. Previous conversations have focused on issues such as the impact of diversity and education in the workplace, the effect of the increasing plurality of religious groups, and emerging leadership across cultural divides. Each year, Aetna and NCCJ determine whether the National Conversation’s focus will advance the preceding year’s topic of discussion to a deeper level, or will approach a new issue. Either way, both partners are committed to addressing the issues most relevant and critical to people of diverse populations.

The 2003 National Conversation will address the growing racial discrepancies in health care quality. “The evidence of the damaging health consequences of racial and ethnic disparities in health care continues to be overwhelming,” said Aetna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Rowe, M.D.  Aetna and NCCJ believe that the 2003 National Conversation will raise awareness about the gravity of health care disparities and will amplify the public outcry for health care providers to be trained in cultural competence and effective medical care delivery for people of different races, ethnicities, religions, and cultures.

Christopher A. Montross:
“Our partnership with NCCJ has evolved and still continues to adjust and change. It is a learning partnership over time . . .. Among the things we have learned is that leadership has played an immense role in our partnership with NCCJ. The leaders involved from both sides have an outstanding working relationship that initially began with mutual respect and mission. On top of that, both Aetna and NCCJ are both well-regarded in the industry in philanthropic care and diversity awareness. Leadership is absolutely critical to any partnership’s success—and that leadership has been in place for us since the very beginning.”

Venton B. Forbes:
“When we first look at a potential partnership, we look at the partner’s ability to take risk and have tremendous vision. At the time that we first joined forces with NCCJ, a lot of people were talking about dialogues on diversity, but very few were willing to actually engage in change and take real risk. We’ve learned that when you take the risk of entering an alliance, you really need to partner with a like-minded organization with a big vision. That shared vision will be the key to the partnership’s success.”

Venton B. Forbes:
“Any relationship has to have excellent communication—both ways. Make sure you make your expectations clear when you bring them to the table so that your partner knows exactly what’s going on. In addition to this upfront effort, ongoing dialogue between partners is critical so that neither partner is ever caught off-guard.”

Christopher A. Montross:
“Make sure that you know what your expectations are before you enter any partnership. However, leave plenty of room for flexibility. Always be prepared to respond to change. This preparation will enable you to improve your program overall—you should always push the envelope to the next level.”
 

Every year, the National Conversation brings together a wide variety of leaders to talk about issues facing diverse communities. Previous participants include Juan Williams, Journalist and Commentator of National Public Radio and Fox News; Sharifa Alkhateeb, Member of the Muslim Education Council; Richard Cizik, Policy Analyst for the National Association of Evangelicals; Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives; and Diana Eck, Professor at Harvard University’s Divinity School;

Through partnership, Aetna and NCCJ better combat these issues head-on and construct tangible action steps for national leaders to take. Over 250 participants take part in the National Conversation each year in person —with another tens of thousands of people reached through newsletters and media exposure (previous events have been spotlighted by CSPAN). 

The National Conversation also creates an “echo effect” by empowering and encouraging individuals at the local level to facilitate similar forms of dialogue. Since the program’s inception, over 250 smaller community conversations have followed the National Conversation’s model at the grassroots level—at faith-based organizations, places of employments, and schools. In addition, Aetna and NCCJ have followed up the National Conversation by sponsoring regional conversations in Washington, DC, Miami, and Los Angeles.

For more information about this partnership and Aetna's other corporate philanthropic initiatives, visit:  www.aetna.com/foundation.

Last updated: November 2002