Inclusion and diversity: Banks still have a world to win
21 September 2021 - 6 min Reading time
On 21 September, Febelfin, the the Belgian financial sector federation, will launch the '#InclusionInFinance' campaign, addressed to all employees of the sector, at all levels.
- The campaign wants to go beyond raising awareness; it wants, first and foremost, to bring concrete, positive change to the workplace.
- In a humorous way, #InclusionInFinance introduces some bold statements around four themes: unconscious bias, inclusive work culture, inclusive leadership and microaggressions.
- Two well-known Belgians are backing this initiative: William Boeva and Bwanga Pilipili.
- An inclusive and diverse workplace is a win-win for both employees and employers and fully responds to the social needs of a changing society.
- You can find the campaign on www.inclusioninfinance.be with a free e-book with 25 practical tools to get started in the workplace in an inclusive way.
- We would like to highlight one of the tools because of its great importance for the whole corporate world: the Charter on Inclusive Panels and the accompanying website www.inclusivepanels.be.
#InclusionInFinance
On 21 September, Febelfin, the umbrella organisation of the banking sector, will launch the '#InclusionInFinance' campaign and addresses all employees of the sector, at all levels. With this campaign, the sector wants to give a clear signal that everyone - regardless of origin, gender, orientation, age, personality or disability - is wanted and valued.
Febelfin developed 25 tools that can be used to encourage inclusion in the workplace. After all, an inclusive and diverse workplace is a win-win for both employees and employers and fully meets the social needs of a changing society. The banking sector is fully aware of this and wants to emphasise this with the launch of #InclusionInFinance.
Why inclusion?
In 2020, the banking sector employed 44,000 people. 44,000 people who each day give their very best to keep the sector moving forward and in tune with society's ever-changing needs. They deserve to work in an environment that respects them for who they are.
But what does inclusion really mean? It means being able to be unapologetically open about who you are, and feeling valued. And the more inclusive the workplace, the more room for diversity. This brings us to the goal of the sector: to reflect society.
This reflection is needed first and foremost for the quality of governance, decision-making and service of the sector. Diversity has a positive influence on the degree of innovation and creativity. The diverse range of clients also requires a diverse sector, not only for direct contact with the end client, but also at the top and all levels in between. In this way, the sector keeps close to what is going on and responds to the necessary condition for a relationship of trust with the client: recognisability.
25 tools to get started yourself
Much has been written about diversity and inclusion, yet some clichés and taboos remain. This campaign wants to do something about this: in a humorous way, #InclusionInFinance introduces some daring statements that make you think, and it does so around four themes: unconscious bias, inclusive work culture, inclusive leadership and dealing with microaggressions.
Two well-known Belgians are backing this initiative: William Boeva and Bwanga Pilipili, who are using their talents to convey an even stronger and more visible message. Watch and enjoy on www.inclusioninfinance.be and discover the free e-book with 25 practical tools, ranging from checklists, games and team building to training and information sessions, with which you can get started right away. Because this campaign wants to go further than merely raising awareness and sending a message into the world; it wants first and foremost to bring about concrete, positive change at the workplace. You can read all about it in the e-book and the tools are available in three languages.
Co-funded by Actiris in the framework of the Sector Diversity Plan.
Inclusive Panels
We would like to highlight one of the tools because of its great importance for the entire corporate world: the Charter on Inclusive Panels and the accompanying website www.inclusivepanels.be.
This initiative was launched last year thanks to the efforts of Febelfin, Women in Finance, Women on Board, DMAB members (Diversity Managers Association of Belgium) and gender experts from the north and south of the country. They united in a working group to stress the importance of gender diversity, but also of a mix of ages and backgrounds, in all kinds of panels.
Expertise is everywhere, but visibility is often less evident. The Charter describes the commitment to systematically invite a mix of experts for panels or speeches in order to spread the message: whoever you are, you belong. The website www.inclusivepanels.be can help.
Inclusion pays off
Febelfin hopes that this initiative can be a source of inspiration for all those who have a positive attitude towards life and the workplace.
The banking sector wants to be an example of an inclusive and diverse way of thinking, managing and making decisions. Everyone, both the sector and society, will benefit because inclusion and diversity pay off. That is the message the financial sector wants to bring, not only to its own employees but to society.
