Monday 26 August 2013

Ford Motor's Archbishop and Religious Pluralism

"(...) to assist the company in becoming a worldwide corporate leader in promoting religious tolerance, corporate integrity, and human dignity. We strive to act in accordance with our beliefs and out of love for human being and all of creation, promoting understanding and respect for the various faiths. We help management to increase and maintain religous diversity, attract, develop, and retain talented employees of faith, and be more aware of religious consumers' and investors' needs." (via)

Ford has received hundreds of awards for its diversity policies. And Ford started very early. In 1916, the company employed people from 62 nationalities and more than 900 people with disabilities. A few years later, Ford hired ethnic relations experts to promote a tolerant work environment, in 1950 it hired its first African American senior manager (via), 1950 - at a time of "legal" segragation in some states. The Ford Interfaith Network, one of several company-approved employee groups, was founded in 2001 to promote dialogue and tolerance; different religious groups and atheists can join. Among other activities, the network sponsors community and interfaith events, sends its "Insights & Inspirations" mails to more than 3.500 employees, and discusses food and flexible hours (via). And Ford Motor's Archbishop?...



... The Ford Cortina was built by Ford of Britain from 1962 to 1982. It was originally to be called "The Archbishop". (photos via and via and via)



10 comments:

  1. Noooooo, the Cortina! Britain's beetle, kind of. :)

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    1. The ad kindly refers to the beetle: "cuter than a bug" ;-)

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  2. As always, splendid images and splendid thoughts. Thank you.

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  3. Splendid thoughts, stellar dress (first pic) and legendary car.

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    1. Legendary, yes (unfortunately, I've never seen one in real). Thanks for commenting, Karen.

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  4. Wow, I didn't know that Ford was so ahead.

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    1. ...and they are still so active ... I think more posts on Ford's porogrammes might follow :-) Thank you for your comment, Sam.

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