GWS 2020 Preview: Bridging the Divide with DE&I

Not only is representation and equitable access to opportunity an imperative for society and individuals, it’s now of paramount importance to employers and employees, including those in the workforce mobility industry.

As businesses around the world continue to strategize about the future, many pressing issues remain at the forefront of planning, from the COVID-19 crisis to environmental sustainability. Among these topics is the ever-pressing matter that should and will be top of mind for global employers and employees going forward: diversity, equity, and inclusion, often referred to as D&I or DE&I. Not only is representation and equitable access to opportunity an imperative for society and individuals, it’s now of paramount importance to employers and employees, including those in the workforce mobility industry.

With 2020 marking the beginning of a new decade, individuals and the societies in which they live are thinking more critically than ever about equality, justice, and opportunity. From the LGBTQ community, women, and the disabled to the lives of black, indigenous, and people of color – representation and a seat at the board room table propels society forward. Businesses in particular are having more conversations than ever about implicit bias, equity, and overall DE&I approaches that, when executed with care, make businesses and the people within them better.

Talent management professionals, including those within mobility, are uniquely positioned to lead on these conversations. Cultivating diverse talent and a workplace that prioritizes diversity of identity, background, and thought dismantles harmful stereotypes while providing access to opportunities for those who may be traditionally shut out. Now more than ever, mobility is tackling the need for tough conversations, meeting valuable DE&I metrics, and ensuring a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce around the world. We’re all the better for it.

Want to Learn More?

This year, Worldwide ERC® is connecting the mobility industry virtually through our first-ever virtual, month-long Global Work Symposium. 2020 has been quite a year, and there’s much to learn about across all sectors of the industry. We’ve built out new content tracks that are directly relevant to all of these sectors, including diversity, equity, and inclusion.

At the Global Workforce Symposium, we’ll discuss pressing DE&I topics, such as the unique opportunity to leverage the global framework provided in mobility programs to further voice the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We’ll also discuss minority representation in expatriate assignments, including the history, business imperative, and ethical reasons for diversity and inclusion in mobility. There will be conversations about unconscious bias, attitudes and stereotypes and how to get from DE&I planning to action – all in an effort to bridge divides and further mobility’s strategic importance.

By retaining all the key elements of our in-person event, GWS will continue to foster connection and learning across the globe for all sectors of the industry. There’s something for everyone at mobility’s biggest annual gathering, and we encourage you to check out our schedule of events and speakers to get a glimpse of what this year’s GWS has to offer.

So if you haven’t already: register now! It’s not too late to sign up to experience this new format with all the elements you’ve come to expect from the Global Workforce Symposium. Join us at the first-ever virtual, month-long Global Workforce Symposium from 28 October to 20 November 2020.