At Sutton Coldfield Training we pride ourselves in taking Equality, Diversity & Inclusion extremely seriously we strive to make sure that our workplace is a reflection of those beliefs and values.

Noun - 'The state of being equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities'

Definition of equality  

'Equality is about ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents. It is also belief that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were born, where they come from, what they believe, or whether they have disability' - Equality and Human Rights Commission'

Noun - 'The state of being diverse'

The diversity definition means more than just acknowledging and tolerating differences. To truly practice diversity we need to:

• Build alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination.
• Practice mutual respect for an individuals proclivities and experiences that are different from our own.
• Understand that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing.
• Recognising that personal, cultural and institutionalised discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others
• Understand and appreciate interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment.

We all, as individuals, bring a diverse set of energies, perspectives , work and life experiences, as well as religious and cultural differences.

By recognising these differences and understanding 'what does diversity mean?' we can learn to respect and value each individual, unlocking and benefitting from the rewards. This is the definition of diversity.

Noun - 'The action or state of including or being included within a group or structure'

Inclusion is not a one-way street. It works two ways. Organisations need to make sure they instil an inclusive culture facilitating people to proactively engage. Feeling included is a sense of being part of a community or organisation.

We now live in an era where innovation is the driving force behind beating the competitor and organisations now understand that they need to attract the best talent to succeed. Now we understand what Equality, Diversity and Inclusion mean where do we start in terms of ensuring that we as individuals as well as our organisations start to live by their meanings and reap the benefits?

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