So, firstly what is National Inclusion Week? National inclusion week is an annual event designed to celebrate everyday inclusion in all its forms. Organisations are brought together from across the globe to celebrate, inspire and share practices.
This year’s Inclusion week takes place from the 27th September – 3rd October. Each year National Inclusion Week has a different theme and this year’s theme is about unity.
Inclusion is a broad subject and is a term that many people have different understandings of. A lot of people use the word Inclusion as an interchangeable one with diversity or equality but, there is a clear distinction between the three. Equality is about the fair treatment of everyone and often linked to the Equality Act 2010. Diversity is the mixture of people and Inclusion is the action or state of being included within a group or structure. Feeling included is a key aspect of human life, many of us can remember a sense of exclusion, for example moments when we were left out or were not welcome or were not appreciated. Inclusion is the reverse to those feelings. Making people feel welcome and being involved. Feeling valued in the workplace and in our personal lives is something everyone desires. National Inclusion Week provides everyone with a great opportunity to think about and identify what they can do to value and include one another.
Throughout the week lots of organisations get involved and talk about lots of different topics including anti-racist cultures, how to empower and recognise inclusion and how to attract diverse talents within the community. In 2020, 16 million participants connected with the theme “Each one, Reach One” it was a chance for everyone to set personal challenges and experience new ways of thinking to reach a new level of cultural awareness. Responding to some of the challenges of 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the murder of George Floyd, this has impacted on everyone. Working together can be most positive and effective in our response to these challenges. Having open conversations may be challenging and uncomfortable but they drive for change and inspire action. Action and change remain vital in the mission to make inclusion an everyday reality.
National Inclusion Week wants to be known and recognised as a force for change and action. This can be achieved by uniting to share learning, best practices, successes and challenges. By uniting in teams, organisations and as participants of Inclusion Week we can push for change.
Here at Skillnet we strive to put all our learners first and create relationships that are focused on doing the right thing. Everyone has different backgrounds and has lived different lives but that is all part of being a human being. Building an Inclusive culture is about everyone, and we all have a part to play. At Skillnet we understand that everyone is unique, and we want to celebrate this by creating welcoming environments for everyone to learn and thrive.
Promote, Respect, Inclusion, Dignity for, Everyone.
Links
National Inclusion Week – Inclusive Employers Inclusion and Diversity