The New York Centre for the Study of Groups, Organizations, and Social Systems is excited to re-launch the ‍virtual GRC, Race Relations in a Global World: Leadership, Organizations, and __________, directed by Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre. The conference will take place on February 22-25th 2024.

This three-day event is designed to support leaders of varying backgrounds to engage in a dialogue on race relations across the boundaries of racial lines using group relations methodology. 

Past, present and future leaders will have the opportunity to explore their organizational experiences with race relations in a Global World, while forming a temporary learning organization. Participants will learn more and begin to explore the following questions:

• What does race relations look like in organizational systems in different countries? 
• How does race relations manifest within organizations in different countries?
• Why should we pay attention to race relations in organizational systems in different countries?
• Who is involved in race-relation dialogues within organizational systems in different countries?
• Where should I look for organizational answers when engaging in dialogues related to race relations?

The Tavistock Model of Group Relations, developed in London, England in the 1950s, is the model upon which this event is based. In 1965, Margaret Rioch and A. Kenneth Rice, for whom the A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems (AKRI) was named, imported the model to the United States.

This time-honoured method offers a dynamic lens for exploring conscious and unconscious behaviour within groups, organizations, and social systems. More specifically, group relations thinking offers insight into our experiences of group life across the different contexts that make up our daily lives, such as at home, the workplace, and within society at large.

Through group relations, members and staff are invited to explore in more depth the interplay between their identity and organizational group memberships, in relation to leadership/followership, boundaries, authority and roles to better understand individual and collective behaviour in groups and how the person in the role is taken up at this particular moment in service of the task.

Race Relations in a Global World: Leadership, Organizations, and ________________ is hosted by the New York Centre for the Study of Groups, Organizations, and Social Systems, an affiliate partner of A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems.

Familiarity with group relations methodology is not required to attend; those who are new to the ideas and concepts of group relations are encouraged to join.

More information

Registration is now closed. We are no longer accepting applications. Please email thenewyorkcenterGRC@gmail.com for further questions.