National Inclusion Week 2022: ‘Time to Act: The Power of Now’

Written By Gareth Mutema

We think everyone should feel valued and respected as an individual regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, age, race, religion or gender.

That’s why iCAN will be celebrating National Inclusion Week, which is an annual week of workplace activities and events highlighting the importance of inclusion across the UK – which runs from 26th September to 2nd October.

In 2011, 81% of organisations in the UK either had very minimal or no Inclusion or Diversity objectives. Over the past 10 years, inclusion in terms of race/ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation has begun to increase, but there is still more work to be done, particularly in the inclusion of mental health, sex, gender identity, pregnancy and maternity, neurodiversity, age, religion and belief, carers, social mobility, marriages and civil partnerships.

Find out more about National Inclusion Week 2022 here: https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/niw-2022/

iCAN, the Insurance Cultural Awareness Network, are proud to be one of the seven partners that make up the Lloyd’s Diversity and Inclusion Network that cover Disability, Families, Military, Gender, PA, Multicultural and Pride and Allies.

The Lloyd’s Diversity and Inclusion Network aims to create a sense of community and inclusion, educate and raise awareness, engage colleagues across the organisation, and align with the D&I agenda. It also acts as a sounding board for activities and policies developed by the Culture team. 

With everyone acting together towards a more inclusive workplace, we can create a better workplace for all of us.

Below are some things that you can contribute to during National Inclusion Week 2022:

  • Volunteer for an inclusion charity

  • Play a team sport with your colleagues and friends

  • Host a small event where your colleagues and friends can share their stories

  • Take part in a “I am but I am not” activity at work

You can find other great activities from https://snacknation.com/blog/diversity-inclusion-activities/

Books we recommend:

  • The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer

  • Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics Mahzarin R Banaji, Anthony G Greenwald

  • The Leader's Guide to Unconscious Bias by Pamela Fuller, Mark Murphy, Anne Chow

  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

  • The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts

Gareth Mutema
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