Get Inspired by Your European Neighbours
At a lively panel in Luxembourg, European Diversity Charters (BE, IT, LX) shared how inclusion creates impact and how the new Diversity Barometer drives progress.
Setting the Scene in Luxembourg
On 5 December 2023, I had the privilege of moderating a European panel at the Abbaye de Neumünster in Luxembourg. The event, hosted by IMS Luxembourg and the Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg, brought together 50 corporate representatives, new charter signatories, and three colleagues from European Diversity Charters: Emmanuelle Verhagen from Brussels, Luca Maria Recalcati from Italy, and Célia Vadala from Luxembourg. The stage was set not just for another discussion about D&I, but for a reality check: how can we create real impact, highlight tangible benefits, and measure progress across Europe?
From Actions to Impact
Too often, D&I initiatives remain in the comfort zone of activities: awareness days, ERGs, campaigns, or trainings. My first exchange with Emmanuelle tackled this head-on: How do we ensure we are not just ‘doing things’ but creating impact? Emmanuelle shared how the Brussels Charter balances the tension between visible activities and deeper engagement. The message was clear: impact means reaching those outside the diversity bubble — the sceptics, the disengaged, the mainstream. Only then do actions become meaningful.
Benefits That Speak to Everyone
The second theme focused on benefits. After decades of research, we all know that diversity drives performance, innovation, and resilience. Yet, as I pointed out, this evidence too often remains an empty phrase. Luca brought the Italian experience into the discussion: with 900 signatories, mainly SMEs, the Charter in Italy had to position D&I beyond ideology. His insights were pragmatic: frame D&I in business terms, link it to competitiveness, and make it ‘ideology-free’. He emphasised that only when managers see a clear return will they embrace diversity as a strategic asset.
Measuring Progress – Beyond Numbers
Data-driven approaches dominate today’s debates: KPIs, disputed representation targets or even mandated quotas. But do numbers really tell the story? With Célia, who coordinates the new European Diversity Barometer at the Luxembourg Charter, we explored how assessment can move from compliance to learning. She explained that the tool is designed to benchmark signatories across Europe, but also to trigger reflection and prioritisation inside each company. Measurement, in this sense, is not about policing but about enabling progress.
A Truly European Exchange
The panel then opened into a broader European conversation. Each Charter reflected on what their signatories currently demand most: overcoming resistance, handling diverse levels of maturity, and linking D&I to core business functions like marketing or R&D. I challenged the panel to consider European convergence: despite national differences, where do we see common ground? The answers pointed to intercultural collaboration, stronger EU frameworks, and a shared need to counter backlash with robust strategies.
Engaging the Audience
The energy in the room was tangible. Participants did not hesitate to ask critical questions: How do we respond to claims that “we’ve done enough” or that “climate change is more urgent”? How can SMEs balance ambition with limited resources? The debate confirmed that maturity levels vary widely, yet this diversity itself became a learning point: each organisation must find its path, guided by evidence, peer comparison, and leadership courage.
Looking Ahead – The Barometer
The event concluded with a preview of the Luxembourg Diversity Barometer, coordinated by Célia with ten European charter partners. The tool promises a step change: it allows companies to position themselves across countries and sectors, to identify gaps and strengths, and to co-create sound action plans. For many in the audience, this was a “wow moment” — a practical way to turn European cooperation into organisational progress.
Conclusion: From Inspiration to Action
Moderating this panel reminded me why I believe in the European dimension of D&I. Local realities matter, but European collaboration provides inspiration, benchmarks, and legitimacy. By focusing on impact, benefits, and measurement, we can make diversity strategies not only more effective but also more resilient in the face of resistance. The Luxembourg event was more than an exchange — it was a signal that Europe’s Diversity Charters are ready to shape the next phase of inclusion.
