Is “Diversity” the New Conformity?

A discussion with Mr. Christopher Rufo and Mr. Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy

Description

Diversity seemed for a long time an appealing and forward-looking aspiration to include a variety of experiences and viewpoints into conversations. Recently however, in universities across the Western world, the term “diversity” has become an enforced administrative policy of racial and gender preferences. Such bureaucratic categories, instead of creating and reinforcing a shared sense of community, reduce the individual to their racial, gender and sexual markers. Diversity policies demand conforming to a distinct ideology of disadvantaged status and “oppression”, threatening the free exchange of ideas, scientific freedom, going as far as canceling the classical oeuvres of Western civilization.

What is the significance of merit and equality in our culture? What is academic freedom and which are current threats to it? How can universities and learning be liberated from over-bureaucratization and the ensuing conformity? What are the noble social practices in the United States and Europe that traditionally bind people of diverse backgrounds into a shared community, offering a sense of beloning?

Event Overview

Join Common Sense Society–Hungary on Thursday, March 30 for an evening discussion with Mr. Christopher Rufo and Mr. Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy.

The discussion will be moderated by Mr. Márton Baranyi.

Gates will open at 6.30 p.m. and the discussion will begin at 7.00 p.m.

Wine, drinks and finger food will be served after the formal part of the evening.

Chatham House rules apply.

Please note that this event is for members only. Not a member yet? Consider becoming a member of Common Sense Society–Hungary. If this is your first event at CSS and want to get to know us, you are welcome to join for a teaser.

Featured Speakers

Mr. Christopher Rufo is a documentary filmmaker, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, contributing editor at the City Journal and currently a visiting fellow at the Danube Institute. Mr. Rufo’s writing explores a range of issues, including critical race theory, gender ideology, homelessness, addiction, crime, and the decline of American cities. In recent years, Mr. Rufo has advocated against critical race theory and gender theory in American institutions. His research and activism inspired a presidential order and legislation in 15 states. Most recently, he was appointed to the board of New College of Florida by the governor of the state. As a filmmaker, Mr. Rufo has directed four documentaries for PBS, Netflix, and international television, including America Lost, which tells the story of three “forgotten American cities.” He holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s degree from Harvard University.

Mr. Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy is an entrepreneur and former public servant who founded Brain Bar, an annual conference that grapples with future scenarios in the areas of technology, business, politics and lifestyle. He is Chairman of the Board at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Hungary’s major educational institution for the creative industries. His book, published in 2022, “Nonkonform” prepares young readers to think outside the box in an age when an intellectual monoculture is building up under the banner of diversity. Mr. Böszörményi-Nagy’s other projects include Design Terminal, a social enterprise based in Budapest that helps startups reach the global marketplace. He earned a master’s degree in international relations from Corvinus University of Budapest and in urbanism from the London School of Economics. He pursued an MBA at Central European University and studied social entrepreneurship at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He was awarded the Golden Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit in 2020. Since 2022 he is a voluntary reservist for the Hungarian Defense Forces.

Mr. Márton Baranyi is a social scientist, author, and is currently editor and host of the BrainBar podcast. He is an alumnus of Common Sense Society’s Summer Leadership Academy ’12.