Deborah,

Just an idea that I'd like to add which I comes from a book I've recently read.  Diversity = difference = creativity.  We can't be creative with people who are all the same.  What really kick starts creativity is 'ideas having sex'.  And I'd widen that to wild promiscuous sex.  And that means we must have diversity to start with... (book is 'The Optimist's Tour of the Future, by Mark Stevenson).

Long live diversity!

all the best
Tricia