'Diversity Delegation of Women Managers' to Vienna

On May 17 – 19, 2022, a study tour to Vienna, 'Diversity Delegation of Women Managers' from Croatia and Slovenia, was organised by Diversity Charter Croatia (HR BCSD) and Diversity Charter Slovenia in partnership with Managers Association Slovenia and Austrian Diversity Charter (Chamber of Commerce Vienna).

Two delegations met in Vienna on the evening of the 17th and enjoyed joined dinner, where they took opportunity to meet each other, network and share interests and contacts. On the 18th, after morning guided sightseeing tour of Vienna and visiting museums (Albertina) both delegations visited headquarters of Generali Austria. They met with Mr. Mueller, head of HR at Generali. They had a chance to listen to multiple DE&I practices and employees engagement activities.

In the afternoon, From 16:00 to 19:00 hours delegations spent at the premises of Austrian Chamber of Economy, where they were hosted by Diversity Charter Austria, holding a mini conference on Diversity and Inclusion.

Austrian key notes were given by Michael Pichler, representative of Zero Project Austria and Stefanie Eigner, project manager, from Limesoda company. Speeches from Croatia were given by Maritna Mlinarić, expert form MSG global solutions and Maja Crnjak, HR manager from Erste Bank Croatia. Slovenian case was presented by Anisa Faganelj, HR manager, AMZS.

More networking was organized during dinner that evening, while the next morning, two delegations said their goodbyes. Slovenian delegation went for the audience with Slovenian ambassador in Austria, while Croatian delegation took another site visit to a family-owned hotel Henriette, with high D&I standards, holding a certificate Common Goods Balance Sheet.

Ladies from both delegations expressed their satisfaction with the study tour and networking with other business women and they have asked organizer to make such networking a yearly event.

Round table ‘Empowering Women in Business’

On May 31, 2022, Croatian Diversity Charter (HR BCSD) and Slovenian Diversity Charter organised virtual event within European Diversity Month: Round table ‘Empowering Women in Business’        
You can watch it on You Tube channel https://youtu.be/DJZd8xddk-4
The event gathered more than fifty participants with six women who were panellists and shared their experience and their personal stories on achievement in their respective business careers. Challenges that panellists faced in their advancement within organisations, all included self-awareness, self-education and open and inclusive environment that values abilities and progressive approach.

The round table was moderated by Mirjana Matešić, director of HR BCSD and Barbara Zupančič, director of DC Slovenia. Panellists were asked about their experience and views on the number of women in business, about the ability of modern company to integrate inclusion of women and inclusion in general in their business strategies, about the awareness of women of their rights, as well of their strengths and ability to use empathy in the everyday work.

All panellists, Alenka Vidič Praprotnik (PR Ageny 028, Slovenia), Dorotea Pernjak Banić (JGL, Croatia), Barbara Smolnikar (Triglav, Slovenia), Martina Mlinarić (MSG Solutions, Croatia), Sanja Vučković (RBA, Croatia) and Eva Premk Bogataj (AEIOU Universe, Slovenia) highlighted that all women should be strong in voicing their abilities. They emphasised that more and more companies are working on inclusion of all vulnerable groups in their businesses, how women are equal players to men in all business endeavours and that education of all is the crucial part of gender equality and that more women in academia is crucial for more inclusive society. Additionally, panellists stressed that women should be proud of their ambition and they should work on building their networks and to embrace all specific skills that women bring to business. As one of the panellists said, women should ‘roar’ when fighting for their place in business society.

After a lively debate and a numerous questions and comments from participants, the round table was concluded, and we would highlight a few points expressed by Mr. Michael Stuber:

• Women should not carry the burden of making their case, initiating change nor educating each other or men! It is Organisation’s responsibility to monitor gaps and biases and tackle it
• Women only activities can promote stereotypes and polarisation – much more than 15 years ago. Mixed gender activities IN COMPANIES ARE PARAMOUNT – women only activities can happen outside the company, and
• Recent research has confirmed what we kept ‘preaching’ – only a well-constructed, synchronised and in this sense ‘engineered’ diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) approach will create positive impact and progress for women.

Working lunch - "Inclusion of People with Disabilities into the Labour Market"

The Diversity Charter Slovenia was established on 17.11.2017 and today represents a community of 182 signatory organizations (from economic, public and NGO sector) which are committed to promoting and implementing the values of diversity, equality, and
inclusion in the workplace and more broadly in society.       

Among the signatories there is also the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which made public commitment to the principles of the Charter in 2019. During this year’s EU Diversity Month, his Excellency, Johan O.Verboom, hosted a working lunch on the topic »Work Inclusion of People with Disabilities«.

The invited guests exchanged views on the topic of employing persons with disabilities as one of the biggest and most vulnerable groups in the labour market.
At the working lunch, director of the Slovenian Diversity Charter, pointed out that Slovenia has a modern disability protection policy and is comparable to other developed European countries. But Slovenia also has challenges, like systemic arrangements for the transition of young people to the labour market, ensuring regional coverage of protected workplaces at
employment centres and companies for disabled people, we lack diversity of jobs, including different jobs for more educated people with disabilities.      
At the same time, she pointed out that the labour market has changed significantly in the last 20 years, and that more and more employers today show good practices of work inclusion of people with disabilities. This is precisely why it is necessary to provide more
intensive support to employers and employed persons with disabilities and focus also on the career progression of employed people with disabilities.      
The employment of diverse persons is not only a topic of social justice but is key to innovation with the Slovenian business environment. Research shows that diversity in the
workplace contributes to the company's good results. Companies with diversified employees are 35% more likely to achieve a higher financial return compared to other companies. There is also a 70% higher likelihood of them capturing more markets. 
Diversity, inclusion and equality have always been a source of progress and development of a fairer society. They open up a way of thinking that really contributes to lasting solutions.

This communication was supported by 3 new signatories that committed to principles of DC
by signing the charter at the event:   
- Embassy of France, her Excellency, Florence FERRARI         
- Embassy of Romania, his Excellency, Anton NICULESCU     
- Mr. Miha Menard, managing director, OC IMP Klima