Almost three quarters of people have concerns about using the wrong language or terminology when engaging with colleagues around matters relating to race, faith, gender, sexual orientation and / or disability, according to a snapshot survey of attendees at the Building Belonging: Matheson & Trinity College Dublin’s Diversity and Inclusion Conference, held in Dublin this week.
Organised by Matheson in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, the conference brought together experts and senior leaders from progressive domestic and international businesses and organisations to discuss two central themes; the business case for wellbeing, and; hidden disabilities.
The conference heard from speakers - in studio and virtually - across a number of organisations and sectors, including An Post, AIB, Trinity College Dublin, Byrne Deane, Man Group, National University of Ireland Galway and Matheson, and looked at the challenges which organisations can still face in building a truly inclusive environment. It also heard the inspiring personal stories of two people who are living and working with hidden disabilities.
Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson said, “Matheson is delighted to have hosted this Diversity and Inclusion Conference under the umbrella of our Impactful Business Programme in partnership with Trinity College Dublin. The contributions from our participants on the themes of wellbeing and hidden disabilities were inspiring and informative. It is clear that there is both a significant appetite from and a significant opportunity for businesses to continue to make workplaces more inclusive. The panels identified many of the broad range of initiatives which can be pursued ranging from infrastructural changes to the office environment; harnessing the knowledge and expertise of those within organisations to help drive positive cultural and practical change; encouraging conversations about diversity; educating others about the importance of language; and setting measurable goals to ensure we’re making progress .”
“Building an organisational atmosphere of trust where people feel safe to discuss the challenges they face and listening to the feedback and recommendations will help leaders better identify and prioritise the actions their organisations can take to ensure they are benefitting fully from the real value that every person can bring.”
“Thank you to all of our speakers for their input, in particular those who told the story of their own particular personal journeys.”
Provost of Trinity College Dublin Professor Linda Doyle recognised the importance of the partnership the University and Matheson have developed, which today provides a timely platform to the topic of Diversity and Inclusion. The Provost drew on the longstanding and evolving commitment the University has in advancing, encouraging, fostering and protecting diversity through education.
Professor Doyle thanked Matheson Chairperson Tara Doyle and Managing Partner Michael Jackson for their corporate leadership and their continued support of Trinity’s Pathways to Law programme and the Law School.
Speakers at the conference included; Marie Devitt, Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Helen Dooley, Group General Counsel, AIB; Richard Martin, Director of Mental Health & Wellbeing, Byrne Dean; David McRedmond, Chief Executive, An Post; Lucy Bond, Head of HR UK and EEA, Man Group, and; Lucy Ann Buckley, Senior Lecturer, NUI Galway.
