The EU's annual drive for greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Diversity Month, begins on Friday 28 April. The opening ceremony in Brussels will be attended by several leading representatives from Swedish companies that are members of Diversity Charter Sweden.
Every May, the EU comes together to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in the world of work. This year's edition of Diversity Month will be the fourth.
- "In Sweden, we are celebrating Diversity Month in several different ways, including a knowledge seminar in collaboration with our sister organisations in Denmark and Finland. In addition, our members are organising many interesting activities to focus on diversity and inclusion," says Anna Carlsson Sigstedt, Secretary General of Diversity Charter Sweden, who will also be present in Brussels.
Among the Swedish participants on site are also Diversity Charter Sweden's member companies, Microsoft Sweden's CEO Tomas Frimmel and the association's newly elected chairman Petra Karmteg, currently COO at DNB Sweden.
- Diversity and inclusion are about business benefits; we as a society cannot afford to lose so much expertise. Therefore, rapid and lasting change is required. The fact that diversified workplaces lead to increased innovation and profitability is not new, but more people need to do more, and joining the Diversity Charter is a good way to get training and inspiration to be able to raise the issue of diversity one more level, says Petra Karmteg, chairman of Diversity Charter Sweden.
The opening ceremony of Diversity Month will be opened by Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality. This will be followed by a morning filled with interesting programme items. Particularly interesting from a Swedish perspective is the panel debate on "Diversity, inclusion and belonging are crucial for the success of a company". So why isn't diversity in the company reflected at all levels of the organisation?" where Microsoft Sweden's CEO Tomas Frimmel participates.
- I am convinced that as leaders we need to prioritise diversity and inclusion in every decision we make. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is a necessity for running successful businesses and creating a corporate culture where employees feel a sense of belonging. During my visit to Brussels, I look forward to discussing, being inspired and learning more about how other organisations work with diversity and inclusion. We all need to get better at learning from each other," says Tomas Frimmel, CEO of Microsoft Sweden.
Media can follow the ceremony either in Brussels or online.
