Human diversity enriches our community
Laurea invites its staff to come up with concrete actions to promote equality, equity and inclusion.
Pride month is a great way to highlight the diversity of humanity as a whole. It reminds us all of the rights of sexual and gender minorities, which cannot be taken for granted in Finland or anywhere else in the world. Rainbow flags fly proudly on Laurea's campuses to remind us of the importance of this.
- As a community, we want to provide a safe and accepting environment for everyone at Laurea. A tolerant community is a matter of honour, and I ask everyone to respect it. Let us accept each other as we are, says Jouni Koski, CEO of Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
Promoting an atmosphere of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is a common cause at Laurea, and one that we are proud to foster. To promote these concrete actions are seen as particularly important in the community. Laurea, along with four other European universities, is involved in the InCITIES project, which promotes research cooperation. The international project involves 11 stakeholder partners, as well as the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council and the City of Porvoo in Finland. Laurea's responsibilities include the promotion of equality, equity and inclusion for staff and students. The project workshops, which will be held in the autumn, aim to gather concrete actions to raise awareness among staff and students. Genuine discussion at organisational level and addressing possible grievances will be the main outputs of the project. All Laureans are welcome to attend the project workshops. Everyone's voice is important.
Flags will be lowered in due course, but the work to promote equality must continue every day of the year; yesterday, today and tomorrow. There is always a time to celebrate life and liberty!