Spotlight on Diversity and Inclusion in Post -Women in Leadership Program Conference

Upon completing the Women in Leadership program, part of the Learning Alliance initiative offered by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) in collaboration with Alba, an online conference was held on Diversity and Inclusion.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Stelios Argyros, President of the Alba Association, stressed the importance of fostering universal qualities such as intellectual integrity, solidarity, respect for others' opinions, and emotional intelligence.

Ms. Dora Oikonomou, Director of the Human Resources Development Sector at SEV, stated: "Diversity is a reality. Inclusion, however, is a choice we must make daily. Inclusion means actively supporting diversity. At SEV, we recognize its value for businesses and work to raise awareness, inform, and encourage our members to take initiatives and actions to create an inclusive work environment where diversity drives innovation, new perspectives, increased productivity, competitiveness, and overall business reputation."

Dean Kostas Axarloglou emphasized the necessity of continuous (lifelong) learning in the new economy, noting that a lack of resources hinders large groups in our society from accessing continuous learning. He advocated for learning ecosystems where stakeholders jointly ensure access to lifelong learning for these groups.

During the conference, participants discussed the skills, perceptions, and characteristics essential for Inclusive Leadership, as well as the role of education and learning in promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for inclusive learning.

A highlight was the extensive discussion on the Thessaloniki Future Leaders Lab, an initiative by Alba Executive Development in Thessaloniki. This program, designed for university students in Thessaloniki, is co-created by Alba Executive Development in collaboration with supporting companies. Executives from companies involved in the Thessaloniki Future Leaders Lab shared their experiences contributing to the program's content and participating in this innovative initiative. The program aims to develop horizontal skills that complement the in-depth scientific knowledge provided by universities, and is supported by companies such as Accenture, EUROBANK, ELVAL, MEVGAL, TITAN, Hellas Gold, and Georgaki & Partners Law Firm.

The conference also featured a session on inclusive longevity in the workplace and addressing ageism. It concluded with an engaging Art Masterclass on Inclusion in Art.