45 new signatories signed the Charter and the Slovenian Diversity Charter finished the year 2018 with 109 signatories. The formal signing ceremony with the international round table was held under the patronage of mag. Ksenija Klampfer, Minister of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. In the name of Ministry, state secretary Breda Božnik signed the Diversity Charter and stressed that by actively managing diversity and inclusion, we can prevent discrimination in the workplace, in recruitment, promotion, education, working conditions and the working environment. Special certificates or documents of diversity are key to promoting examples of good practices in companies.

Barbara Zupančič, project manager of I.D.E.A.S. added that diversity management is a topic of present and future, and that it is increasingly being introduced into corporative thinking of Slovenian companies. By cooperating, we can contribute to the development of a doctrine that brings  to all, organizations and society as a whole and to individuals, an advantage of a lasting character. Inclusive diversity management should bring better business results, a happier society and fewer threats to the environment. Diversity Charter was signed in the name of Municipality of Ljubljana, Mrs.Tilka Klančar, Head of the Department for Health and Social Care, signed the Charter on behalf of the Municipality Ljubljana. She added that Ljubljana is open to diversity and actively supports integration of diverse individuals, with numerous projects that are already being implemented and will continue to be in the future.

The international round table was attended by guests from France (Anne Dechanel, Charter of Diversity France) of Romania (Dana Oancea, Charter of Diversity Romania), Croatia (Mirjana Matešić, Charter of Diversity Croatia) and Slovenia (Saša Mrak, Slovenian Manager’s Association and Suzana Bagari, Atlantic Group), who, among other things, pointed out, that it is important to involve everyone in diversity management in the companies; employees should not be segregated by groups, it is necessary to develop individual approach with every employee. And it is necessary to offer programs for everybody being aware if most vulnerable groups are entering in this programs. Management must build and promote the culture of respect and empathy in the company. And leadership must be an example.