Inclusive communication
The Diversity Charter advises and works with companies and members on inclusive communication – from LGBT+ and disability issues to inclusion of people of different nationalities, skin colour or age. We provide training and share best practices to create an environment where respectful and conscious communication takes place in both formal and everyday situations. Such communication helps to ensure that everyone feels accepted and valued in the workplace.
To better understand what kind of communication is inclusive for different groups in society, we worked with Diversity Charters in Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Romania to find inclusive communication practices. We carried out a survey and qualitative interviews with experts in diversity and inclusion. While we found examples of good practice, we noted a lack of systematic application of inclusive communication.
Good practices include:
- Specifying the pronouns a person would like to be addressed with;
- training on different groups in society;
- guidelines for inclusive communication;
- confidential and staff-aware messaging channels
More: Survey results
In 2024, we worked with international partners to develop an inclusive communications programme. Some of the key work:
- We initiated and ran a long-term mentoring programme on inclusive communication and its applicability. During the sessions, we learned about inclusive communication with 5 experts from abroad and Lithuania, with dozens of organisations: how to speak respectfully about age, gender, LGBTQI+, background and other aspects of diversity;
- We created informative videos on inclusive communication (first and second videos) ;
- A set oftheoretical knowledge and exercises;
- Inclusive Communication Self-Assessment Questionnaire for organisations;
We prepared a good practice guideline.