Almost a hundred business leaders joined a global virtual conference to learn about workplace diversity and inclusion.
The ‘This Is Us’ Conference took place for a third consecutive year from 20–21 October, attracting delegates from the UK all the way to Australia, Pakistan and Europe.
The conference, created and led by Meena Chander (pictured), CEO and founder of Events Together, included talks, seminars and workshops. The sessions covered a range of topics including the challenges businesses face in attracting and retaining BAME staff, how to eliminate conscious and unconscious bias in the workplace and why acknowledging the struggles, experiences and journeys of colleagues is so important.
Speakers included: Jacqui Gavin, equality, diversity and inclusion adviser for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and recent winner of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her contribution to highlighting and driving positive change in transgender issues in the workplace; Ian Washington-Smith, director at Shinesmith Academy; and Nic Jennings, content marketing and diversity and inclusion consultant and expert on identity and the intersection of diversity.
Delegates were able to debate and discuss their own experiences, and speakers outlined tips for how employers and individuals from underrepresented groups can work together to tackle issues on inequality and discrimination in the workplace and create lasting change.
Several issues were discussed and debated including menopause in the workplace, ethnic entrepreneurship, and ways in which attendees could set up an LGBT network or workplace community.
Meena Chander, founder of This Is Us Conference, said: “This Is Us Conference is all about championing diversity and inclusion for LGBT employees, women and BAME people in an organisation. The issue has never been more important than it is now, so I knew I had to do everything to ensure the event went ahead despite the challenges of Covid-19.
“The virtual conference had a fantastic turnout with delegates tuning in from all around the world proving that, increasingly, people want to become more educated on important workplace and social issues and help make a difference.
“I would like to thank all of this year’s speakers and delegates for making This Is Us Conference 2020 a success and for helping bring the challenges minority groups continue to face every day to the forefront.”
