In the pursuit of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the Center for the Study of Democracy, as a co-founder of the Bulgarian Diversity Chartertogether with the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, organized two impactful Inclusive Communication Laboratories, bringing together business and civil society leaders, experts, and supporters.
First Laboratory on Neutral and Inclusive Communication in the Workplace – December 12, 2023
The first lab was held on December 12, 2023, and the event was hosted by VIVACOM, a signatory of the Diversity Charter. It gathered representatives from various sectors, including business leaders, distinguished experts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) management, human resources, and communications, and civil society.
Levon Hampartzumian, Chair of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, and Nikolay Andreev, CEO of VIVACOM, inaugurated the event. Discussions, moderated by Kamelia Slaveykova, Chair of the Board of Directors of Shell Bulgaria, covered a range of topics. Maria Stoyanova, Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), showcased CSD’s work in the field, focusing on the NICE (Neutral and Inclusive Communication in Corporate Environment) initiative. Under this initiative, a range of activities and consultations are being carried out to develop innovative training and capacity-building programmes designed to inform staff and improve inclusive communication skills in the workplace.
Guest speakers, including representatives from Interlang, Synergia Foundation, ARTIED, and Caritas Sofia, joined the conversation by sharing practical experiences, addressing real-life cases illustrating the benefits and challenges of hiring individuals with different abilities. They explained techniques for respectful communication with visually impaired individuals and adapting business operations to achieve gender equity, among other examples. The second part of the event involved working groups discussing challenges concerning gender inequalities, intergenerational communication, and the integration of people with different abilities and from diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds through inclusive communication.
Second Laboratory on Neutral and Inclusive Communication in the Workplace - January 12, 2024
The second laboratory witnessed even more numerous and active participation of a similar group of professionals, including experts in DEI management, human resources, and communications, along with representatives of NGOs with extensive experience working with different underrepresented groups. The second event was hosted by IBM Bulgaria, another signatory of the Bulgarian Diversity Charter.
Levon Hampartzoumian, BBLF Chair, Georgi Ganev, IBM Bulgaria General Manager, and Plamen Staykov, Global MVS Executive at IBM Bulgaria, opened the event, expressing their commitment to diversity and inclusion values. Facilitated by Kamelia Slaveykova, the lab included a presentation by Maria Stoyanova, Analyst at CSD outlining the NICE program's objectives and key findings. Guest speakers, including representatives from IBM, Jamba, Hilton Sofia, and Inditex, shared insights into their companies' inclusive policies and practices such as employment programs targeting individuals with hearing loss, people with Down syndrome, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The second part of the lab built on the key findings from the first lab’s group discussions and continued the conversation on gender-balanced communication, intergenerational challenges, and the integration of people with different abilities and from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Participants actively exchanged their knowledge, experiences, challenges, and successful practices in this domain. Their insights contributed to the broader discourse on how to build a lasting culture of non-discrimination, mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration in the world of work.
