Monash Intercultural Lab delivers professional development program about creating and sustaining inclusive workplaces
Monash Intercultural Lab delivers professional development program about creating and sustaining inclusive workplaces
The Monash Intercultural Lab and the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute delivered the ‘Diversity: better culture, better workplaces’ professional development program in the last week of October, 2023. The latest iteration of the program allowed participants to consider different ways of thinking and leverage those within organisations to change workplace practices for the better. The professional development program, part of a three-year partnership between the Monash Intercultural and Scanlon, aims to enable individuals to enact change within their organisations by exploring how our identities and the different cultures we belong to shape who we are and how we work.
Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their cultural intelligence capabilities, as well as considering their biases and how different values can inform their approach in professional and personal contexts. The program co-developed by experts affiliated with the Monash Intercultural Lab, also benefited from esteemed industry guests – Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos, Rabbi Gabi Kaltman, Assoc Prof Samuelson Appau, community leader Ahmed Dini, and Brimbank City Councillor Jasmine Nguyen – that shared their experiences in navigating and harnessing diversity within workplace environments.
One of the participants who attended the program highlighted in the feedback:
“A high standard is now set for professional development courses. I thought the one-day course was quite intensive, but it never lulled. Each section was engaging and insightful and different enough from the last to stay focused and involved. I thought the catering was amazing and well thought out for the theme of the day. The facilitators were high energy and respectful. I had a great day and would highly recommend it!” (Participant’s feedback).
The program, designed and delivered collaboratively, counted with the participation of MIL academics, Dr Lucas Santos, Dr Nadine Normand-Marconnet, and Alex Avela Archilla, MIL’s professional development lead. The program also benefited from the participation of Professor Paul Long from the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre.